Naomi Osaka's three-set win over Sorana Cirstea at the Australian Open 20206 should have been a straightforward story of progression into the third round. Instead, it ended with an awkward handshake at the net, a pointed on-court interview and a wider debate about tennis etiquette.
So what actually happened, and Osaka cross a line?
What happened at Osaka vs Cirstea?
The tension surfaced late in the match, particularly during the third set. Osaka, who won 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, what pumping herself up saying "Come on!"
Cirstea took issue with the timing of at least one of the calls, believing it came between her first and second serve. After a fault, Osaka appeared to vocalise encouragement to herself as Cirstea prepared to serve again.
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Cirstea raised the issue with the chair umpire, questioning whether such verbalisation was allowed between serves. The umpire ruled that no rule had been broken.
The match resumed without penalty, but the mood did not reset.
At the net, the handshake was noticeably cold. Osaka asked Cirstea what was wrong. The Romanian appeared to reiterate her frustration with the on-court behaviour.
Did Naomi Osaka break any rules?
No. There is no written rule in the ITF or Grand Slam rulebook that prohibits a player from speaking or verbalising between serves, as long as it is not deliberate hindrance or timed to distract during the opponent's service motion.
The chair umpire's decision reflected that rule. However, tennis has long operated on unwritten etiquette, particularly around silence between first and second serves - a pause traditionally respected by players and crowds alike.
Osaka's post match apology
Naomi Osaka addressed the incident almost immediately in her on-court interview.
"Apparently, there were a lot of 'come-ons' that she was angry about," Osaka said. "But whatever. I tried my best. She's a great player. I think this was her last Australian Open, so. sorry she was mad about it. "
The remark, particularly the reference to Cirstea's career stage, drew attention. Osaka later clarified her position in the press conference, striking a more conciliatory tone.
"I want to apologise," she said. "The first couple of things I said on the court were disrespectful. That's not what I do. I don't like disrespecting people. "
What the experts said
The debate quickly moved beyond the court. Former World No.1 Martina Navratilova was clear in her view that while Osaka did not break a rule, she crossed an etiquette line. "You can say 'come on' all you want, but keep it inside. Don't verbalise it between first and second serves," she said.
American great Lindsay Davenport echoed the sentiment, calling it "basic tennis etiquette," even while stressing that Osaka is not a malicious player.
