Clare Balding was visibly furious with Naomi Osaka during a live BBC interview at Wimbledon after the tennis star gave a diplomatic answer about watching England's World Cup match. Osaka, who had just defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time, joined Balding in the studio as the broadcaster covered the Centre Court night match between Jannik Sinner and Shintaro Mochizuki.
Balding's Frustration Boils Over
During a brief interlude while the roof was controversially closed, Balding introduced Osaka and praised her performance. However, the conversation soon turned from tennis to the World Cup, with England facing Mexico in the last 16 in the early hours of Monday morning. Balding asked Osaka if she would watch the match, to which Osaka replied diplomatically: "I've heard there's a lot of really good matches today."
Balding, clearly disappointed, thumped her hand on the desk and exclaimed: "A lot of really good matches? Naomi, England are playing at one o'clock in the morning! Now you're here, you've got to support… maybe… you want to support Mexico?" Osaka, whose Japan side had been eliminated by Brazil in the previous round, then clarified that if she was awake, she would tune in and support England. Balding responded with a curt "thank you, we'll take that."
Osaka's Wimbledon Success
The exchange came after Osaka's impressive victory over Sabalenka, which secured her first Wimbledon quarter-final appearance. Osaka expressed her delight, saying: "I have definitely viewed it as a very positive match. I have played her a couple of times this year and I am just really glad it went my way this time."
