Naomi Osaka was left in tears during her match at Indian Wells after a spectator hurled an insult that “greatly upset” the Japanese star.
The dual Australian Open champion was early in her match with Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova when the incident occurred.
After Osaka was broken to trail 0-1, a fan reportedly yelled “Naomi, you suck” which saw other spectators calling out to remove the man.
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Osaka then went up to the chair umpire asking for something to be done but the umpire explained she did not know who it was and thus could not act.
Osaka returned to the match and won the next point, even earning two break opportunities, before Kudermetova recovered for a 2-0 lead.
As Osaka prepared to serve her next game, she was in tears, and after being broken again for 0-3, she spoke to the court supervisor during the set break.
While most of their conversation could not be heard on the broadcast the supervisor told the umpire: “if it happens again, we’re going to find him.”
After dropping the opening set Osaka again spoke to the supervisor, remaining rattled. She want on to lose 6-0 6-4.
Following the loss Osaka spoke to the crowd and explained the incident saw her flash back to the Williams sisters being heckled years ago in Indian Wells.
The pair boycotted tennis’ ‘fifth major’ for a decade and a half after racist attacks during the 2001 tournament.
“When Venus and I were walking down the stairs to our seats, people kept calling me ‘n—–’,” their father Richard told USA Today.
“One said, ‘I wish it was ’75, we’d skin you alive.’ I think Indian Wells disgraced America.”
Osaka has spoken openly about her mental health battles throughout her career, experiencing “long bouts of depression” after the controversial 2018 US Open final against Serena Williams.
She won the 2019 and 2021 Australian Opens.
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