Aug 7, 2025; Montreal, QC, Canada; Runner up Naomi Osaka (JPN) adresses the crowd after her loss against Victoria Mboko (CAN) at IGA Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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Naomi Osaka Reveals Reason for Not Congratulating Victoria Mboko Amid Backlash at National Bank Open 2025

Mboko def. Osaka 2-6 6-4 6-1 in the Montreal final.

Aug 7, 2025; Montreal, QC, Canada; Runner up Naomi Osaka (JPN) adresses the crowd after her loss against Victoria Mboko (CAN) at IGA Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka was in the firing line for all the wrong reasons after the 2025 National Bank Open final. Having just lost a three-set battle to 18-year-old Canadian prodigy Victoria Mboko after grabbing the opener, Osaka failed to congratulate the youngster for her win in the trophy ceremony. The incident sparked massive outrage among pundits and fans on social media, citing poor sportsmanship from a veteran WTA star.

Osaka and Mboko fought tooth and nail for the Montreal crown on Thursday evening. Despite coming out second best in the first set, Mboko gathered her focus to turn things around. Backed unrelentingly by her home fans, she mixed her ruthless groundstrokes with some deft drop shots to leave Osaka baffled. The four-time major champion crumbled in the decider, completing a historic 2-6 6-4 6-1 win for the brand new World No. 24.

In the aftermath of the wondrous summit clash on Centre Court, Osaka walked up to collect her runner-up prize. What ensued was a moment that went on to get heavily criticised and scrutinised by the public eye. “Thanks I guess,” said the 27-year-old Japanese starlet as the crowd applauded her. Without any words for her opponent, the World No. 25 merely thanked her team, the tournament organisers and volunteers.

Naomi Osaka Clarifies Post-Match Speech After Loss to Victoria Mboko

Prior to the final, Osaka was informed by the media that Mboko grew up idolising her. “It’s really cute.. I’m really honoured, I always said that I’d love to play someone who looked up to me,” replied the two-time former US Open champ. Despite the kind exchange before the encounter, the post-match incident left a bittersweet feeling among the fans and tennis fraternity. While Osaka did not mention her opponent, Mboko thanked the former No. 1 for an amazing match, and reiterated having looked up to her.

However, Osaka addressed the situation in her post-match press conference. Asked about the positives from the tournament, she had a lot to say. “Yeah, I mean, definitely [a lot of positives]. I think it’s kind of funny – this morning I was very grateful. I don’t know why my emotions flipped so quickly, but I’m really happy to have played the final,” she remarked.

Naomi Osaka says she forgot to congratulate Victoria Mboko on the court during the trophy ceremony after the Montreal final

“Obviously it's not the result you would have wanted today, but it's been such an incredible week. You know, back in a 1000 final, and like you were… pic.twitter.com/wGrp9f43hB
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 8, 2025

Mboko is now the second youngest woman in the Open Era to beat four major champions in the same event. She is also the first woman since fellow Canadian Bianca Andreescu to win a WTA-1000 title as her first tour-level success. “I think Victoria played really well,” continued Osaka. “I completely forgot to congratulate her on the court. Yeah, I mean, she did really amazing!”

(Image Credits: David Kirouac, Imagn Images)

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National Bank Open

National Bank Open 2025

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Victoria Mboko

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Sankalp Harikrishnan

A passionate sports fan through and through, I am currently pursuing my MA in Global Sports Journalism. I specialise in tennis and football writing at The Playoffs News, and I have prior experience working at EssentiallySports and Sportskeeda. Born and raised in Bengaluru, India, sport was my safe space right from my childhood. After trying my hand at multiple sports and representing my educational institutions in cricket, badminton and table tennis, I found sports media to be my calling.