Completely upset by an insulting interjection, tennis superstar Naomi Osaka (Japan) was eliminated in the second round of the WTA tournament in Indian Wells.
The four-time Grand Slam winner shed tears during and after the 6-0, 6-4 loss to Weronika Kudermetova (Russia/number 21).
"Naomi, you suck" (Naomi, you're annoying), it sounded in the first sentence from the ranks.
The 2018 tournament winner complained visibly emotionally to the referee.
After the match, Osaka said the comment brought back memories of the scandal at the prestigious competition in California in 2001, when US stars Serena and Venus Williams were booed.
Father Richard Williams had spoken of racist insults at the time.
"To be honest, I feel like being disturbed hasn't really hit me so far.
But here?
I saw a video where Venus and Serena were booed here," Osaka said, crying during the interview on the court. "I don't know why, but it stuck in my head and was repeated many times."
The former world number one, who speaks openly about her problems with depression, is committed to more consideration for the mental health of athletes.