Twitter users believe Australian Open winner Naomi Osaka caught up with Jennifer Brady as runner-up during her acceptance speech.
Many have turned to the social media platform to name Osaka to call Brady ‘Jennifer’, despite the fact that she prefers ‘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 resident turned to Brady and asked, “Do you like being called Jenny or Jennifer?”
The crowd laughed when the runner-up clearly said, “Jenny.”
Osaka then said, “First of all, I want to congratulate Jennifer.”
The remark was most likely just a mistake by Osaka when she praised the 25-year-old.
But it was not received on social media.
One Twitter user described Osaka as “rude”, while another thought she was polite to ask in the first place.
Many, however, found the comments of the champions funny and a harmless example of trolling.
Osaka, who defeated Serena Williams 6-3 6-4 in the semifinals, described her joy in winning another Grand Slam.
She said: ‘It feels incredible. I did not play my last slam with fans, so having a lot of energy means a lot.
‘Thank you for opening your hearts and arms to us. Playing a Grand Slam is a wonderful privilege and I would not take it for granted. ”
Brady, who played in her first Grand Slam final after winning her first WTA title last August, was full of praise for the winner.
“I want to congratulate Naomi on another Grand Slam title,” she said. “She is such an inspiration to us. What she does for the game is amazing to get the sport out there.
“I hope young girls look at this and are inspired by what she does.”
Osaka will now watch its first French Open title in May.
She will also aim to win Wimbledon for the first time in June.