"Naomi you suck!".

Apostrophized in the 3rd game of the first set, the Japanese could not hide her distress by going to sit on her chair for the change of sides.

Tears that she could not suppress flowed, after she complained about this behavior to the officials.

Without consequence for the person who spoke these words, when it sometimes happens in the NBA that fans are excluded from the rooms because of their verbal provocations or their aggressive behavior.

Osaka kept her eyes foggy for the rest of the game.

She struggled more to continue playing than to hope for a very hypothetical victory, given her obvious discomfort on center court.

Especially since Kudermetova was able to remain imperturbable despite the circumstances, even when her opponent, driven by a pride that we have rarely seen in such difficulties, seemed to return to the game.

Naomi Osaka breaks down in tears in the middle of an exchange with WTA supervisor Clare Wood in the 2nd round of the tournament in Indian Wells, California on March 12, 2022 CLIVE BRUNSKILL GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Osaka finally lost her serve in the 7th game of the second set and the Russian did not miss the opportunity to put an end to it.

The latter seemed very embarrassed when speaking a few words at the microphone, welcoming the combativeness of the Japanese.

And completely unexpectedly, Osaka agreed to play the word game for the ending.

A terribly trying exercise that brought new tears to her cheeks, overwhelmed with emotion.

"To be honest, I feel like I've been heckled before, it didn't really bother me. But, I watched a video of Venus and Serena (Williams) getting heckled here. If you never looked at it, you should look at it”, she said painfully between two sobs.

Naomi Osaka in tears as she speaks to the public after her Indian Wells 2nd round loss to Russian Veronika Kudermetova on March 12, 2022 MATTHEW STOCKMAN GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

In 2001, when Serena won the final against Kim Clijsters, her sister Venus and their father Richard were insulted when they took their places in the stands and during the match.

For 14 years the two champions refused to return to play in this tournament.

"I don't know why, but it just popped into my head and it stuck...I'm trying not to cry. I just have to say thank you and congratulations," she concluded, making a nod to Kudermetova.

© 2022 AFP