Aryna Sabalenka faced criticism from Naomi Osaka’s fans after making some unwarranted comments towards the Japanese star following their Round of 16 match at Indian Wells. The Bulgarian defeated the four-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinal against Victoria Mboko on Thursday.
During the post-match press conference, Sabalenka was asked to comment on Osaka switching her agency, leaving her firm Evolve, which also represents the World No. 1, and returning to IMG. She was also asked whether knowing Osaka for so long affected her approach when facing her at the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday.
“Not at all. I just feel sorry for her that she moved from Evolve back to IMG. I don’t think that’s a smart decision to do. I’m happy, I’m super happy that now all time that they were kind of like, how you say, balancing between me and the Naomi, now I got most of the time. I’m happy with that (smiling),” Sabalenka said.
Fans were quick to react to the Bulgarian’s comment on Osaka and shared it on X.
“Sabalenka always has something to say about her opponents that are Black/half-Black (same thing). Girl, needs to get a mirror & take a good look at herself because she really isn’t all that. Good player that can & has been beaten. No class whatsoever,” one fan commented.
“Need her to think before she speaks a little more,” another fan commented.
“Why is she talking about someone else’s business decisions?” yet another fan commented.
Other fans defended Osaka, stating that she was the highest-earning female athlete when she was World No. 1, and added that if the Japanese had made such comments, she would have faced a lot of criticism for the same.
“I need Osaka to scalp her next time, because she talks too much,” one fan commented.
“If Osaka had made this ‘joke’, we wouldn’t hear the end of it,” another fan commented.
“Mind you, Naomi was the highest paid female athlete of all time with 50m+,” yet another fan commented.
What Did Naomi Osaka Say About Aryna Sabalenka’s Comment On Her Agency Shift?
During her post-game press conference, Naomi Osaka was informed of Aryna Sabalenka’s comment about her agency switch from Evolve to IMG, and the Japanese star was quick to respond.
“Was she laughing when she said it (smiling)? Look, we’re two different people, like, for sure. I think her experiences aren’t the same as mine, and I wouldn’t have it any other way, you know. For me, I have always loved IMG,” Osaka said.
“I have been treated really well there, and the people there are really kind to me. I would recommend IMG to people. I guess she wouldn’t. But, yeah, I think we just have two very different experiences at two different places,” she added.
While Osaka will now shift her focus to the Miami Open, which starts on March 16, Sabalenka will aim to make a winning run at Indian Wells after suffering heartbreak at the Australian Open final last month.
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