Naomi Osaka ripped Sorana Cirstea's unhappiness with her as nothing else but a frustration for concluding her last Australian Open campaign.
Today, the 28-year-old Japanese and the 35-year-old Romanian met for the first time since 2015 Wimbledon. And after nearly two hours of play, the younger rival sealed a 6-3 4-6 6-2 win to reach the third round at Melbourne Park.
As the two players got to the net for a traditional post-match handshake, Cirstea stopped Osaka to exchange a couple of words with the Japanese. During the incident, the Romanian told the former world No. 1 that she wasn't happy with the way she was celebrating between her serves.
Frosty handshake and heated argument between Naomi Osaka and Sorana Cîrstea
What was said? pic.twitter.com/neD4F1YJgR
— Corvath Draemir (@Archaicmind3000) January 22, 2026
To no one's surprise, the 2019 and 2021 Australian Open champion was asked about the frosty moment during her on-court interview.
Osaka: Cirstea was angry because it was her last AO… She could have told me during the match
"She was angry about my come-ons. I think it was her last Australian Open, so that's probably why she is mad. She could have told me during the match," the four-time Grand Slam champion said during her on-court interview.
Osaka's on court interview was a lot about the drama with Cirstea.
"She was angry about my come ons (…) I think it was her last Australian Open, so that's probably why she is mad (…) she could have told me during the match". pic.twitter.com/sHK4zKJJtb
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 22, 2026
For context, three-time WTA champion Cirstea announced in Decembar that the 2026 season would be the last of her career.
Meanwhile, Osaka continues her Australian Open campaign and plays against Maddison Inglis in the third round. It will be the first meeting between the two.
