TWITTER users believe Australian Open winner Naomi Osaka trolled runner-up Jennifer Brady in her acceptance speech.
Many have taken to the social media platform to highlight Osaka calling Brady ‘Jennifer’, despite her preferring ‘Jenny’.
The 23-year-old defeated Brady 6-4 6-3 to win her second Australian Open title and fourth Grand Slam.
At the beginning of her acceptance speech, the Japanese athlete turned to Brady and asked: “Do you like to be called Jenny or Jennifer?”
The crowd laughed as the runner-up clearly said: “Jenny.”
Osaka then said: “Firstly I want to congratulate Jennifer.”
The comment was most likely just a mistake from Osaka as she went on to praise the 25-year-old.
But that is not the way it has been received on social media.
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I love how Naomi Osaka politely asked Jennifer Brady if she preferred to be called "Jennifer" or "Jenny," then completely ignored what she said
pic.twitter.com/b8UzciMQnF
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) February 20, 2021
Naomi Osaka with the absolute disrespect
NO: "Do you like to be called Jenny or Jennifer?"
JB: "Jenny
"
NO: "Congratulations Jennifer"
— Matthew Norman (@MattNorman_90) February 20, 2021
No mercy from Naomi Osaka…
“Do you prefer Jenny or Jennifer?”
Brady: “Jenny”
Osaka: “Whatever Jennifer…”
Ice cold in victory#AO2021
#AusOpen— Paul (@Paulieanderson6) February 20, 2021
One Twitter user described Osaka as ‘rude’ while another thought she was being polite for asking in the first place.
Many, however, found the champions’ comments funny and a harmless example of trolling.
Osaka, who defeated Serena Williams 6-3 6-4 in the semi-final, went on to describe her delighted at winning another Grand Slam.
She said: “This feels incredible. I didn’t play my last slam with fans so to have this energy means a lot.
“Thank you for opening your hearts and arms towards us. Playing a Grand Slam is a super privilege and one I won’t take for granted.”
Brady, who was playing in her first Grand Slam final having won her maiden WTA title last August, was full of praise for the winner.
She said: “I’d like to congratulate Naomi on another Grand Slam title.
“She is such an inspiration to us, what she is doing for the game is amazing, getting the sport out there.
“I hope young girls are watching this and are inspired by what she is doing.”
Osaka will now be eyeing up her maiden French Open title in May.
She will also be desperate to win Wimbledon for the first time in June.
