Naomi Osaka secured a hard-fought victory over Sorana Cirstea at the Australian Open, but the match concluded with a startlingly cold handshake and pointed accusations about sportsmanship from her opponent. The former world number one triumphed 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in a lengthy battle on Margaret Court Arena, only to be met with visible disdain at the net.
A Chilling Post-Match Exchange
Following the final point, Osaka approached the net for the customary handshake, but was met with a curt, icy response from the Romanian world number 41. Visibly surprised by the brush-off, the Japanese-American star quickly queried Cirstea, asking 'What was that for?'
Cirstea responded sharply as she moved towards the umpire's chair, stating 'For not knowing what fair play is, my friend. You're playing for so long and you don't know what fair play is?' The 35-year-old then swiftly exited the court, leaving Osaka to ponder the meaning of her words while waiting for her on-court interview.
The Source of the Dispute
The tension stemmed from an incident deep in the third set, with Cirstea trailing 4-2. At 30-30 in the game, the Romanian faulted on her first serve. As she prepared for her second, a voice she believed to be Osaka's called out 'come on' from across the net.
Cirstea immediately stopped play and approached the chair umpire, questioning whether such vocalisations between serves were permissible. 'Is that okay? To do come on between points?' she asked. The official confirmed that as the server did not yet have the ball in hand, it was within the rules.
'So it's okay? I can talk between serves? I can go "come on", and talk?' Cirstea pressed again, expressing frustration that this was not the first time she had taken issue with Osaka's conduct during service games. The umpire reiterated that it was not considered a hindrance unless the server was already in their motion.
Osaka's On-Court Response
When prompted during her post-match interview about what it took to get through the challenging encounter, Osaka addressed the controversy with a mix of nonchalance and pointed commentary. 'Apparently a lot of "come ons" that she was angry about, but whatever,' the 28-year-old said, accompanying her words with a dramatic shrug.
She added, 'She's a great player, I think this was her last Australian Open, but... sorry she was mad about it.' This remark prompted a round of shocked laughter from the Melbourne crowd, aware that Cirstea had announced her intention to retire at the end of 2025.
Fashion Statements and Future Plans
The match continued Osaka's headline-grabbing presence at the tournament, following her dramatic first-round entrance in a couture outfit by London-based designer Robert Wun. The four-time Grand Slam champion described the veiled hat, flowing white trousers, and twirled umbrella ensemble as jellyfish-inspired, a concept that emerged from reading a story to her two-year-old daughter.
After securing her place in the third round, Osaka playfully declined to reveal whether she would change her distinctive look for her next match against home favourite Maddison Inglis, teasing that she wanted to give fans 'a reason to watch' by keeping her plans under wraps.
The incident highlights the intense pressures and occasional flashpoints that characterise elite tennis, particularly in what was likely Cirstea's final Australian Open appearance. While Osaka advanced in the tournament, the post-match exchange ensured the match would be remembered for more than just the scoreline.
