"Just leave Naomi Osaka alone";"Chris Evert is a 5-star Karen" - Fans disappointed by American's 'too happy' comment on Osaka ahead of US Open 2024

Tennis fans were left feeling disappointed by Chris Evert criticizing Naomi Osaka for being "too happy" ahead of the 2024 US Open. Osaka, who has won the New York Slam twice, has been granted a wild card entry into this season's main draw.

Osaka had missed out on the entirety of the 2023 season due to her pregnancy. She gave birth to her daughter Shai in July of last year and made her comeback to the court at the 2024 Brisbane International. Since her comeback, the former World No.1 has struggled to regain her form. Her best results this season so far came at the Qatar Open and the Libema Open, where she reached the quarterfinals.

Ahead of the US Open, Osaka competed at the 2024 Canadian Open, reaching the second round before being defeated by Elise Mertens. She then participated in the Cincinnati Open, where she was eliminated in the second qualifying round by Ashlyn Krueger.

Recently, while speaking to the Los Angeles Times, 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert expressed concerns about Naomi Osaka's performance leading up to the New York Slam. Evert acknowledged that the Japanese has the "game" to perform well, but that she needs to have more "focus" and "confidence" to excel at Flushing Meadows.

"I know she has the game, but it takes more than the game. It takes a lot of confidence and a lot of focus. We’ll see. She’s in a different part of her life right now where it seems she’s so calm and she’s so relaxed and happy and peaceful," Evert said.

Evert suggested that Osaka's contentment and happiness following the birth of her daughter may be hindering her intensity on the court and that tennis needs the players to be more "intense and fierce."

"The mental problems haven’t really affected her. She has a child, which she is madly in love with. Sometimes when you are too happy, that can’t always be good either, I don’t know, for us to be intense and fierce," she added.

Chris Evert's comments sparked backlash from tennis fans, who took to social media to express their disappointment and their opinions on the same. One fan stated that people needed to leave Naomi Osaka alone.

"First she was too sad, now she is too happy. Can you guys just leave Naomi alone pls," a fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Another fan stated that Chris Evert is a "Karen."

"Chris Evert is a 5-star Karen general," a fan wrote.

A fan expressed that both Evert and Martina Navratilova's remarks, in general, make their head hurt.

"Both Chrissie [Evert] and Martina [Navratilova] are starting to do my head in," a fan posted.

"Tennis really has some of the worst pundits amongst all sports," a fan wrote.

Several fans stated that the critics won't let Naomi Osaka experience any emotions and said that their "obsession" with the former World No.1 is "embarrassing."

"This will not let Naomi Osaka be happy, sad, angry, proud, disappointed etc etc etc. The obsession is embarrassing!!!!" a fan posted.

"Wanna actually leave her alone and let her live her life and stop obsessing over every little thing? it’s mad bizarre," a fan wrote.

One fan urged people to let Naomi Osaka be "happy."

"Girl can we just let Naomi Osaka be happy," a fan posted.

Naomi Osaka's most recent US Open title came in 2020

Naomi Osaka [Source: Getty]

Naomi Osaka won her second US Open title in 2020. She was seeded fourth in the tournament and began her campaign by defeating compatriot Misaki Doi 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 and Camila Giorgi 6-1, 6-2 in the first and second rounds, respectively.

The World No.1 then triumphed over Marta Kostyuk 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-2 in the third round and 14th seed Anett Kontaveit 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round. She then registered a 6-3, 6-4 win over Shelby Rogers in the quarterfinals to secure her place in the semifinals.

In the final four, Osaka defeated 28th seed Jennifer Brady 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-3 and ultimately defeated Victoria Azarenka 1–6, 6–3, 6–3 to win the 2020 US Open. It was her third Grand Slam title overall.