‘I just want to say thank you’: Heckler leaves Naomi Osaka in tears at Indian Wells – WATCH

Naomi Osaka made an emotional exit from the ongoing Indian Wells Masters after the 24-year-old was heckled by a fan during her second round match against Veronika Kudermetova. The former world no 1 seemed rattled with the unruly behaviour and she eventually fell 6-0, 6-4 before reflecting her thoughts on the subject.

The incident took place early during the clash as a fan shouted: “Naomi, you suck”, following which Osaka was later seen wiping away her tears. 

Addressing the crowd, Osaka said the gesture reminded her of an incident involving Venus and Serena Williams, who were booed at the tournament in 2001.

“I’ve been heckled before and it didn’t really bother me,” Osaka said while holding back tears.

“But being heckled here. I’ve watched video of Venus and Serena get heckled here and if you’ve never watched it, you should watch it. And I don’t know why, but it went into my head and got replayed a lot.”

“I just want to say thank you and congratulations,” she concluded. 

The former US Open Champion has been open about her struggles with mental wellness in the past. She also took a break from the sport after her shock defeat in the previous edition of the US Open.

Emotional Amanda Anisimova retires midway

In another incident, American tennis star Amanda Anisimova retired midway during her second round match against Canadian Leylah Fernandez at the Indian Wells Masters.

Anisimova didn’t continue with the clash further after she failed to convert four match points. She broke down towards the end of the second set as Fernandez went on to win the tiebreaker 7-0. 

Anisimova’s decision to retire midway created a bit of confusion on the court as chair umpire was heard asking the American to wait.

WTA eventually confirmed the reason for Anisimova’s medical retirement as “illness”.