A nationwide British survey of 2000 people has named US Open champion Naomi Osaka as the most unfairly treated athlete this year.
Research conducted by online casino brand Playojo ranked Osaka ahead of cyclist Geraint Thomas and middle distance runner Caster Semanya. During this year’s US Open, Osaka’s win over Serena Williams was overshadowed by controversy. Williams engaged in a heated argument with umpire Carlos Ramos, who handed her a code violation for coaching. Something the former world No.1 denied. A furious Williams was later handed two further warnings for racket and verbal abuse that amounted to a game penalty. During the trophy ceremony there were boos from the crowd and Osaka was seen crying.
“I’m grateful that people care or sympathise but I don’t really think there was anything to be sad about,” she said earlier this year.
“I don’t feel like I would’ve liked to savour the moment more — I think I do things my own way and everyone is different in their own way so I don’t really have any regrets.”
Osaka, who is currently ranked fifth in the WTA rankings, had never criticised Williams’ behaviour during their match. Although she admitted that her first taste of major success was a bittersweet experience. The 21-year-old is the first Japanese player to win a single grand slam title in the Open Era.
“There’s a lot of stuff I want to say about, like, how I felt and whatever,” Osaka told reporters at the China Open in October. “But for me, I don’t know, I don’t know.
“The memory of the US Open is a little bit bittersweet. Like right after, the day after, I really didn’t want to think about it because it wasn’t necessarily the happiest memory for me.”
“I mean of course I’m happy that I won a grand slam. I don’t think there’s anything that can take away from that. But I don’t know. I feel like not that when I look back on it that it’s a bad memory but I feel like it was so strange, I just don’t want to think about it.”
Overall in the poll, Osaka came fourth. Although she came first among sports personalities. Ahead of her was British prime minister Theresa May, actor Ryan Thomas and Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Osaka will begin her 2019 season at the Brisbane International in Australia. The tournament will get underway during the first week of January.
Top 10 most unfairly treated people of 2018
1. Theresa May
2. Ryan Thomas
3. Jeremy Corbyn
4. Naomi Osaka
5. Donald Trump
6. Geraint Thomas
7. Coleen Nolan
8. Caster Semenya
9. Raheem Sterling
10. Laura Anderson
