Naomi Osaka came agonizingly close to securing her first title since winning in Saint Malo, competing fiercely at the Canadian Open final in Montreal. However, the local underdog Victoria Mboko claimed the championship, leaving Osaka visibly disappointed and silent for an extended moment following her loss. Despite the aftermath, which included a less-than-gracious post-match speech where Osaka did not immediately congratulate her opponent, former US Open champion Andy Roddick remains steadfast in defending her accomplishments, especially her Grand Slam record.
On a recent episode of Served with Andy Roddick, tennis analyst Jon Wertheim predicted Osaka’s advancement to at least the fourth round of the upcoming US Open, suggesting she could contend for the title if she can
summon the level that she showed for the first 96% of her time in Montreal.
Roddick echoed a similar sentiment about Osaka’s performance in Canada, emphasizing her strong run despite the loss. He remarked,
Naomi Osaka also coming back, like, I feel like in Canada was the first time we saw her, four or five matches in a row, and everyone’s gonna focus on the Mboko match, and she should have won it. Yeah, probably.
He further defended her emotional reaction to the defeat, stating that such a response was understandable under the circumstances.
Highlighting Naomi Osaka’s Grand Slam Achievements and Future Potential
Roddick pointed to Osaka’s impressive statistics in Grand Slam tournaments to underline her ability to succeed at the highest level of tennis. He noted that when Osaka is confident and gains momentum through multiple matches, she consistently produces strong performances. He said,
But when she’s confident in playing and when she has matches under her belt, we’ve seen what she can do in Grand Slams.
Notably, Osaka has progressed beyond the round of 16 on four separate Grand Slam occasions—in the 2019 and 2021 Australian Opens as well as the 2018 and 2020 French Opens—and remarkably, she went on to win each of those tournaments.
This track record supports the belief that she remains a formidable contender going into the 2025 US Open, where a $5 million prize is at stake. Roddick expressed optimism regarding her prospects by stating,
So, we’re taking her into round four. You’re automatically saying she might be able to win this thing. I have Osaka into round four.
Contextualizing Roddick’s Defense of Osaka’s Post-Match Behavior
Roddick’s defense of Osaka’s behavior following her Canadian Open loss is consistent with his past commentary on the athlete’s conduct. During another episode of Quick Served, he explained that Osaka was not in the right emotional space to elaborate on her loss immediately after the match and that her reserved reaction was understandable. He observed,
Obviously, we’re not our best selves in that situation, and if people are, great, if they’re not, they’re not. I would rather her be friendly with Vicky Mboko all the time than at Grandstand in front of a microphone. I don’t know if either is true, but Naomi [Osaka] is generally well-liked, polite, everyone likes her, and she doesn’t give a lot sometimes when she’s not ready to give a lot, and that’s fine.
Roddick also criticized the tennis tradition that requires players to immediately speak publicly after matches, arguing that the pressure to maintain politeness and offer praise on the spot is unique and often unfair. He added,
No other sport do you have to go talk immediately in front of everyone and have the expectations to not only be courteous but to give everyone their flowers in an appropriate way. I don’t know, people are allowed to be p——.
To illustrate his point, he referenced Serena Williams, who was frequently candid and sometimes irritable during press conferences following tough losses.
Naomi Osaka’s Efforts to Rebuild and Prepare for the US Open
Following the controversy surrounding her initial post-match remarks, Naomi Osaka took steps to smooth tensions by apologizing and offering congratulations to Victoria Mboko. With her sights firmly set on the 2025 US Open, she is eager to return to form and contend for the prestigious title and substantial prize money.
As the tournament approaches, Osaka’s journey will be closely followed by fans and experts alike, particularly given her history of rising to the occasion in Grand Slam events. Andy Roddick’s support highlights the belief within the tennis community that Osaka’s talent and resilience could propel her deep into the competition once again.