Australian Open 2026: Naomi Osaka and Sorana Cristea have a strange handshake after their second-round match

Naomi Osaka received a lukewarm handshake and reprimand from Sorana Cristea after beating the Romanian to reach the third round of the Australian Open.

Following her 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 win on Margaret Court, a smiling Osaka made her way to the net to carry out post-match formalities.

But Cristea shook his hand briefly before exchanging some words with the Japanese player, ranked No. 16, while he was sitting in the referee’s chair.

Asked in her on-court interview what it took to get past Cristia, Osaka said: “It seemed like there were a lot of tackles that she was angry at.”

The interviewer then asked if Cristea was complaining because she heard Osaka trying to consolidate herself between the first and second serves of the Romanian.

“I think so, but you could have asked me. I’m sorry,” Osaka, the former world number one, responded.

“She’s a great player. I think that was her last time at the Australian Open, so I’m sorry she was upset about that.”

Cirstea (35 years old) announced last month that she would retire at the end of the 2026 season after 20 years spent in the WTA tournaments.