Querrey criticized Osaka, saying that earning big money should come with appropriate speech, Collins: We are not robots

After the women's singles final in Montreal this year, Naomi Osaka found herself in a media storm due to her post-match comments. Many felt she did not show enough respect to her opponent Mbogu and lost with poor sportsmanship. Although the Japanese star later apologized and was forgiven by her opponent, she still faced criticism from tennis star Querrey, who bluntly stated that Osaka's behavior was too "immature"!

Querrey fiercely criticized Japanese star Naomi Osaka's post-match behavior on social media, saying, "Can Osaka act like an adult for just five minutes? Deliver a proper speech, even if it's just pretending for a minute before heading to the locker room; it drives me crazy! The problem is, she will still make a ton of money, and you can't overlook that. So, give a proper speech and congratulate your opponent."

However, many fans believe that during Querrey's criticism, Osaka was simply overwhelmed by the pain of her loss, which should be understood. "She was exhausted, just like anyone after a long day at work. But the issue is, that was the worst day of her life. You're not just physically tired; you're mentally drained too. At that moment, talking about empathy? Talking about respect? No, what she needs is rest. As a loser, she has every right to feel that way. This is her life and her feelings. We know she was vulnerable at that time, so we shouldn't demand perfection from her!" a netizen commented.

American player Collins resonated with this sentiment, passionately rebutting the harsh expectations and criticisms athletes face in interviews. She cited Sabalenka's loss in the French Open final as an example, discussing the pressure players endure after a defeat. "They played a long, grueling match; it was an exciting day, but Sabalenka is a kind and interesting person, and she must have been completely exhausted by the end."

Collins openly pointed out the sharp issues in the tennis world: "Our culture is filled with self-righteous emotions. People love to criticize without understanding the pressures athletes face daily." She believes the public only sees snippets of players during matches and the forced smiles in front of the cameras, but no one cares about the ongoing physical and mental toll behind the scenes.

“We are not politicians, not robots, just human beings. We also make mistakes and mess things up, but life goes on. In post-match interviews, I have seen the moment when the light fades from an athlete's eyes—they are truly exhausted. Sometimes, all we need is a little break. I’ve experienced that feeling, thinking, ‘Oh damn, if only I could sleep, I wouldn’t say the wrong things.’”

In response, sports psychologist Dr. Emily Rosen analyzed: “After top competitions, athletes' cognitive and emotional resources are at their lowest. Expecting them to perform perfectly is inhumane; Collins has just bluntly pointed out a reality in sports science that has long been ignored.”

Some netizens commented: “Querrey should forget how many rackets he smashed while playing! Keyboard warriors have no idea what it feels like to be interviewed with trembling muscles after a three-set battle!”

Veteran sports commentator Mark Peterson remarked on social media: “Does a high prize money mean responsibility? Of course, fans spend real money to watch the matches, so they expect to see professionalism. But is a five-minute proper thank-you the most basic form of respect?” However, former Wimbledon champion Kafelnikov believes: “Of course! Emotional reactions are understandable, but the core of professionalism is to maintain respect for the sport, regardless of winning or losing.”

It is reported that the debate over Osaka's post-match comments is prompting event organizers to reflect. Some events are reportedly trying to extend the post-match buffer time as much as possible, allowing players to change and rest before interviews. Additionally, they are setting a media cooling-off period, scheduling in-depth interviews for the day after the match. Finally, the organizers are making every effort to provide immediate psychological support to players!

Behind the highlights of top players' victories and defeats lies a level of physical exhaustion and emotional overload that is hard to imagine for ordinary people. The tennis world needs not only perfect champions but also a collective understanding of human vulnerability—between applause and criticism, leaving a light of tolerance for the fatigue that follows stepping off the court.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)