- Comes after fiery encounter with Sorana Cirstea
Jelena Djokovic has publicly criticised Naomi Osaka following the Japanese star’s heated second-round clash at the Australian Open, questioning whether her conduct during the match crossed the line.
Osaka, a two-time Australian Open champion, meets Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis tonight for the first time with a place in the fourth round at stake.
Inglis is the last remaining Australian woman in the draw and is riding strong momentum after coming through qualifying and backing up wins over Kim Birrell and Germany’s Laura Siegemund to secure at least $327,750 in prize money.
The build-up to the match has been tempered by fallout from Osaka’s tense victory over Sorana Cirstea on Margaret Court Arena, which ended with a frosty exchange at the net and visible agitation from Osaka during her on-court interview.
Osaka later apologised in her post-match press conference.
Jelena Djokovic, wife of 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, weighed in on social media, questioning whether Osaka’s conduct between serves should have been penalised.
Naomi Osaka faces mounting scrutiny ahead of Australian Open clash as Jelena Djokovic publicly questions her on-court conduct
Osaka clashed with Sorana Cirstea on Margaret Court Arena in her previous match-up at the Australian Open
Osaka later apologised and said she had not meant to be disrespectful towards her opponent
‘Hm, I’m surprised that this is not being called hindrance,’ Djokovic wrote.
‘In between two serves, when crowds are applauding or shouting, the chair ump asks not to shout between serves as it is disturbing to the player.’
‘The point is not finished. Sorana missed her first serve and is focusing on getting in the second, it is a slight pause. And it is disrespectful to applaud at someone’s first serve mistake too.’
Djokovic also questioned the officiating, writing: ‘I am surprised that the chair / Naomi thought that was fair?! Were there any rule changes that I missed?!’
Osaka was cleared by the umpire during the match and later conceded she could have handled the situation better.
‘I think the first couple things that I said on the court was disrespectful,’ she said.
‘I don’t like disrespecting people. That’s not what I do.’
Former Australian doubles star Casey Dellacqua said incidents like the one involving Cirstea can linger but expects Osaka to reset quickly.
Maddison Inglis carries Australian hopes into Rod Laver Arena amid focus on Naomi Osaka controversy
Naomi Osaka looks to reset focus following the controversy surrounding her previous match
‘Sometimes that stuff can play a little bit on your mind,’ Dellacqua said.
‘But with Naomi being as experienced as she is, she’ll put it behind her.’
Inglis, 28, will enjoy strong home support under the lights and is drawing on her Western Australian upbringing as temperatures rise.
She has spent rest days playing mixed doubles with fiancé Jason Kubler and has embraced the moment rather than feeling overawed.
‘You’re not in the third round of a Grand Slam every day,’ Inglis said.
‘I’m just going to soak it all in.’
Osaka, aware of the challenge ahead, acknowledged the unknown factor posed by the Australian.
‘She deserves to be here,’ she said.
‘She’s going to be a really tough opponent.’
