WeeklySA_AdminGRACIOUS: Following backlash after the Montreal final, Osaka says she didn’t realise she had omitted to congratulate her victor during Montreal final speech…
By Ewan West
Naomi Osaka has apologised to Victoria Mboko after coming under fire for the speech she gave after losing to the Canadian teenager in the 2025 Montreal final.
Mboko, who was a wildcard at the Canadian Open, defeated an unseeded Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the title match to complete a remarkable run to her maiden WTA Tour title.
Osaka dropped just a single set during an impressive run to the final at the WTA 1000 event as she beat Ariana Arsenault, Liudmila Samsonova, Jelena Ostapenko, Anastasija Sevastova, Elina Svitolina and Clara Tauson.
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The former world No 1 was seeking her first title since she secured her fourth Grand Slam crown at the 2021 Australian Open.
In her speech during the trophy ceremony, a visibly emotional Osaka forgot to mention Mboko.
“Thanks, I guess. I don’t really want to take up too much time,” Osaka said. “So, I’ll just say thank you to everyone. Thank you to my team, thank you to the ball kids, thank you to the organisers, and all the volunteers. I hope you guys had a good night.”
Osaka has since faced some strong criticism from tennis fans for failing to congratulate Mboko, who has previously said that the Japanese star was an idol for her.
In her post-final press conference, Osaka said: “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.
Osaka has since apologised to Mboko as she addressed her speech in a post on Instagram Threads.
“Thanks, Montreal, it’s been a really great run,” wrote the 27-year-old.
“I also want to say sorry and congratulations to Victoria. You played a great match and have an amazing career ahead! I realise I didn’t congratulate you on the court.
WTA Ranking Points Earned In Montreal
Youngster Mboko started the 2025 season at No 333, but a series of impressive results saw her reach a career-high No 85 before the tournament with 836 points.
But she has now surged 61 places to No 24 in the WTA Rankings after earning 999 points for her title run to take her overall tally to 1,835.
Players who win WTA 1000 events earn 1,000 points, but they also drop points from the corresponding event 12 months ago, as the WTA uses a 52-week rolling, cumulative system.
The Canadian played in an ITF event in 2024, but lost in the first round so she only had one point to defend, thus earning 999 points.
She is now set to be seeded at the US Open along with Osaka, who sits one place behind her at No 25 in the WTA Rankings.
Four-time major champion Osaka started the fortnight at No 49 in the WTA Rankings with 1,214 points, but she has climbed 24 places after picking up 650 points to move to 1,799.
Prize Money Earned At Canadian Open
Mboko started the WTA 1000 tournament in Montreal with career earnings of $458,001 (R8 million) with $396,293 (R7m) of that coming from her 2025 season alone. Her biggest pay day to date came at the French Open where she earned $195,000 (R3,5m) for reaching the third round.
But she has earned nearly double her career earnings with her Canada win as she picked up a prize cheque of $752,275 (R13,3m).
Not bad for an 18-year-old as she has taken her career tally to $1,2m (R21m).
The 27-year-old Naomi Osaka was 21st on the all-time earnings list before the Canada event with $22,772,890 (R408m) and she has broken through the $23m mark (R400m) with her $391,600 (R6,9m) cheque.
The former world No 1 “only” needs another $9m (R160m) to break into the top 10 of the all-time list as Angelique Kerber currently occupies that position with $32,519,180 (nearly R586m). – Tennis365
