Jelena Djokovic has entered the debate surrounding Naomi Osaka's controversial conduct at the Australian Open, arguing the Japanese star was guilty of hindrance during her second-round clash with Sorana Cirstea.
The wife of tennis great Novak Djokovic took to Instagram to question why match officials failed to act when Osaka shouted encouragement to herself between Cirstea's first and second serves.
"Hmm, I'm surprised that this is not being called hindrance," Jelena wrote.
"In between 2 serves, when crowds are applauding or shouting, the chair ump asks not to shout between serves as it is disturbing to the player."
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She added: "I am surprised that the chair / Naomi thought that was fair?!"
The row erupted during the third set when world No 41 Cirstea grew increasingly frustrated with Osaka's vocal self-motivation, particularly when the 16th seed called out "come on" as the Romanian prepared to deliver her second serve.
Following the match, Cirstea confronted Osaka at the net, leading to a tense handshake that quickly made headlines.
Jelena Djokovic has entered the debate surrounding Naomi Osaka's controversial conduct at the Australian Open, arguing the Japanese star was guilty of hindrance during her second-round clash with Sorana Cirstea
|GETTY
The four-time Grand Slam champion then delivered a cutting response during her on-court interview with the Margaret Court Arena crowd.
"Apparently, a lot of 'come-ons' that she was angry about, but whatever," Osaka remarked.
"I think this is her last Australian Open so, okay, sorry she's mad about it."
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Naomi Osaka was bemused by Sorana Cirstea's conduct at the Australian Open | REUTERSHaving had time to reflect on the incident, Osaka struck a more conciliatory tone during her post-match press conference.
"I also want to apologise. I think the first couple things that I said on the court was disrespectful. I don't like disrespecting people. That's not what I do," the former world No 1 stated.
The 28-year-old acknowledged she had been caught off guard by Cirstea's reaction at the net, admitting emotions had been running high.
Nevertheless, Osaka maintained she had done nothing wrong according to match officials.
"The umpire didn't tell me, like, I was wrong. The umpire said I was fine," she explained, noting that nobody had previously raised concerns about her vocal self-encouragement.
Jelena Djokovic was not alone in her assessment of the situation.
Five facts for tennis fans | GETTY/PATennis legend Martina Navratilova told Tennis Channel that while she understood Osaka's heat-of-the-moment response, the timing of her outbursts was unacceptable.
"You cannot be talking out loud between first and second serves of your opponent," Navratilova said.
"I don't think she does it on purpose, she doesn't realise it."
Former world No 1 Lindsay Davenport echoed these sentiments, describing the behaviour as a violation of fundamental tennis etiquette.
"You're not supposed to make noise between the first and second serves. Basic tennis etiquette 101," Davenport stated, predicting the 28-year-old would likely modify her approach for subsequent matches.