In a thrilling display of tennis prowess, the 2025 Canadian Open final in Montreal saw 18-year-old Canadian wildcard Victoria Mboko claim her maiden WTA 1000 title, defeating four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in a gripping three-set battle, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1. The match, played before a roaring crowd of over 11,000, marked a historic moment for Mboko, who became the third teenager in the Open Era to defeat four Grand Slam champions in a single tournament, a feat only surpassed by Serena Williams in 1999. However, the post-match spotlight shifted to Osaka’s brief trophy ceremony speech, which omitted congratulations for Mboko, sparking criticism online. Hours later, Osaka took to social media to issue a heartfelt apology, revealing the emotional turmoil behind her oversight and reaffirming her admiration for the young champion.
Mboko’s journey to the title was nothing short of extraordinary. Starting the year ranked 333rd, she stormed through the tournament, toppling Grand Slam winners Sofia Kenin, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, and Osaka. Despite a wrist injury that plagued her during the semifinal against Rybakina, Mboko’s resilience shone through. “I was super happy to be playing in Montreal for the first time ever. I just remember feeling nervous, but really taking in the moment as much as I possibly could,” she said during the trophy presentation, her voice brimming with emotion. Her comeback against Osaka, after dropping the first set in just 38 minutes, showcased her tactical brilliance and physicality, culminating in a decisive third set where she won the final five games to chants of “Allez Vicky” from the home crowd.
Osaka, who was chasing her first title since the 2021 Australian Open, entered the final with momentum, having defeated top players like Jeļena Ostapenko and Elina Svitolina. Yet, the match took a toll. Visibly frustrated by the partisan crowd and her own errors, including 13 double faults, Osaka struggled to regain composure after losing the second set. Her post-match speech, lasting under 30 seconds, thanked her team, the ball kids, organizers, and volunteers, but omitted any mention of Mboko. “I don’t really wanna take up too much time. I’ll just say thank you to everyone,” she said, her voice breaking as she fought back tears. The oversight drew sharp criticism from fans, with some calling it “unsportsmanlike” and others questioning her sportsmanship, especially given Mboko’s admiration for her. “I’ve always looked up to her since I was really little,” Mboko said, describing the match as a “special moment.”
Hours later, Osaka addressed the controversy on Threads, offering a candid explanation. “Thanks Montreal, it’s been a really great run. I also want to say sorry and congratulations to Victoria. You played a great match and have an amazing career ahead!” she wrote. “I realize I didn’t congratulate you on the court. Honestly, I was in a daze and I was so focused on not having the same speech as IW 2018 finals or the Jenny/Jennifer situation that I tried to make my speech as short as possible.” Her reference to past missteps—her awkward 2018 Indian Wells speech and mistakenly calling Jennifer Brady “Jenny” in 2021—revealed her intent to avoid further embarrassment. “I think Victoria played really well. I completely forgot to congratulate her on the court,” she later told reporters, acknowledging Mboko’s stellar performance.
Mboko, gracious in victory, brushed off the incident. “If that was her wishes, then I respect it as well,” she said in her press conference. “I still think Naomi is an incredible player, and it doesn’t ever change what I think of her. I think she’s still a really nice girl.” Her poise, both on and off the court, underscored her maturity, as she credited her childhood idols, including Osaka and the Williams sisters, for inspiring her journey. “I remember going there as a kid and watching all the great players playing,” she said, recalling her early days in Toronto, where she moved from the U.S. at two months old.
The match’s intensity was felt beyond Montreal, briefly halting the men’s final in Toronto when the crowd erupted for Mboko’s victory. Ben Shelton, who won his own title that night, later posted, “Congrats on the title Vicky Mboko. I had no idea what was going on at the time but Toronto went nuts for you.” As both players withdrew from the Cincinnati Open to recover, Mboko’s rise to No. 25 and Osaka’s climb to No. 49 set the stage for their US Open campaigns. Osaka’s apology, while late, highlighted her humanity and respect for Mboko, ensuring the focus returned to the Canadian’s historic triumph and the promise of their future clashes.
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