Naomi Osaka has been one of the most talked-about stars at the Australian Open this year, for a multitude of reasons.
The star’s flamboyant entrance for her first round match against Antonia Ružić made headlines, while her second round match featured a dash of controversy.
Sorana Cirstea accused Osaka of gamesmanship following their second round clash, suggesting the two-time Australian Open champion was distracting her between her first and second serves.
While Osaka’s Australian Open actions have been defended, Jelena Djokovic believes the Japanese star was absolutely in the wrong.
Jelena Djokovic says Naomi Osaka was causing a ‘hindrance’ at the Australian Open
Taking to Instagram, Jelena Djokovic shared her thoughts on the dispute between Osaka and Cirstea in the third round.
Djokovic fell on the side of Cirstea after suggesting that Osaka was disturbing Cirstea between her first and second serves.
“I’m surprised that this is not being called hindrance. In between two serves, when crowds are applauding or shouting, the chair umpire asks not to shout between serves as it is disturbing to the player.
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“The point is not finished. Sorana missed her first serve and is focusing on getting in the second, it is a slight pause. And is disrespectful to applaud at someone’s first serve mistake too.”
Djokovic believes that Osaka’s actions was against the rules and the umpire should have stepped in to solve the confrontation.
“I am surprised that the chair / Naomi thought that was fair?! Were there any rule changes that I missed?! It is about when and how.
“She as a professional player would know that is is definitely NOT in between first and second serve of your opponent. Unless you want to provoke.
“In this case, I don’t see why she is acting surprised at the end that Sorana got provoked. Naomi is being cheered on by her fans for pumping herself, great.
“I just didn’t see her ever doing this to another player so I thought it was a rule change or something.”
Osaka will be hoping to put this controversy behind her, as she prepares for a third round match with Maddison Inglis.
Naomi Osaka’s immediate reaction to Sorana Cirstea’s complaints
Osaka was asked about her alleged gamesmanship during her Australian Open press conference right after the match.
Asked if she thought she was doing anything wrong, Osaka responded: Honestly, no. Like, for me, no one’s ever complained about it before.
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“Also the umpire didn’t tell me, like, I was wrong. The umpire said I was fine. I was like, Okay. That was kind of what I thought. Like, I thought we moved past it, so…”
Osaka and Cirstea’s match at the Australian Open was just the second time the two stars have met, with Cirstea winning their last meeting all the way back in 2015.
