Following Naomi Osaka’s visibly emotional and brief post-match interview after her loss in the Canadian Open final to Victoria Mboko, former Grand Slam champion Andy Roddick has offered his perspective on the evolving nature of Osaka’s interactions with the media. While not directly addressing the Canadian Open incident as of current reports, Roddick has previously commended Osaka’s increasing honesty in press conferences, contrasting it with her past avoidance.
Osaka’s defeat to Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko in a hard-fought three-set match (2-6, 6-4, 6-1) at the National Bank Open final on August 8, 2025, ended her bid for a first title in four years. Her subsequent on-court interview drew significant attention for its brevity—just 45 words—and the omission of any congratulatory remarks to her opponent, Mboko, leading to criticism from some tennis analysts and fans.
Osaka’s Canadian Open Post-Match Interview Draws Scrutiny
After the emotional loss, Osaka stated, “I don’t really wanna take up too much time. I’ll just say thank you to everyone. Thank you to my team, the ball kids, organizers, & volunteers. I hope you guys had a good night.” This concise statement, delivered as she appeared to fight back tears, notably lacked acknowledgment of Mboko’s victory.
The perceived oversight led to backlash across social media and from figures within the tennis community. Brad Gilbert, former coach to Coco Gauff and Andy Roddick himself, criticized Osaka’s actions on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “I know Double Osaka struggles with social anxiety but gosh congratulate your opponent especially one that looked upped to you, not mention you just let the last few games going a final.” Mboko, for her part, showed grace, acknowledging Osaka as an idol and saying, “I still think Naomi is an incredible player, and it doesn’t ever change what I think of her.”
Roddick’s Prior Observations on Osaka’s Media Evolution
While Roddick has not yet publicly commented on the specific Canadian Open final interview, he has previously highlighted a significant shift in Osaka’s approach to the media. In July 2025, following Osaka’s Wimbledon exit where she bluntly expressed negativity about her grass-court swing, Roddick remarked on his YouTube channel about her transformation. “Osaka… It’s interesting… I think she went from someone who didn’t like facing the press, and didn’t really say much, to someone who might not give any f***s and tells you exactly what she feels all the time,” Roddick observed. He commended her honesty, suggesting that such candidness, while sometimes jarring, represents a rare form of authentic communication in professional sports.
This earlier commentary by Roddick suggests a nuanced understanding of Osaka’s complex relationship with the media, acknowledging her past struggles with press conferences, including her withdrawal from the 2021 French Open due to mental health concerns related to media obligations.
Broader Context of Osaka’s Comeback and Roddick’s Support
Andy Roddick has been a consistent supporter and observer of Naomi Osaka’s return to tennis after maternity leave. In February 2024, after Osaka reached the quarterfinals at the Qatar Open, Roddick stated on his “Served with Andy Roddick” podcast that he believes Osaka is “ahead of schedule” in her comeback. He noted that people often “take her greatness for granted” and that her ball-striking looked “phenomenal.” Roddick also expressed happiness about Osaka’s stated intention to play a very full schedule, emphasizing that “confidence in those moments is not recreated in practice in Beverly Hills. It’s just not. So for her to get back out there, I thought this was a really, really good result.”
He has consistently stressed the importance of competitive “reps” for her to regain peak form, praising her decision to play lower-level events to build confidence and rhythm. Roddick has also weighed in on her performance on different surfaces, advising her to focus on first-strike tennis and vary her serve on grass courts to compensate for movement challenges.
While Roddick’s direct verdict on Osaka’s most recent controversial post-match comment at the Canadian Open final is yet to be widely reported, his past remarks indicate a recognition of her ongoing journey, both on and off the court, and an appreciation for her evolving authenticity in public interactions.
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