Japanese Tennis Sensation Naomi Osaka Brought to Tears by Heckler at BNP Paribas Open in California

• Naomi Osaka had to endure abuse at the BNP Paribas Open this morning at Indian Wells in California
• The Japanese star was taking on Veronika Kudermetova of Russia in the round of 64 when the incident occurred
• It appeared to unsettle the four-time Grand Slam title winner, as she lost focus and succumbed to her opponent

A woman in the crowd at the BNP Paribas Open yelled, “Naomi, you s*ck!” at Naomi Osaka following the first game of her match Saturday evening.

The comment upset the four-time Japanese Grand Slam champion, bringing her to tears on the centre court of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

According to the Desert Sun, spectators near to the heckler - a woman - demanded that she be thrown out for her disgraceful behaviour. However, the umpire is reported to have said that the heckler couldn't be identified, thus resuming the match.

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During a break in play after the second game, Osaka requested a microphone from the umpire so that she could address the people in attendance.

Osaka said to the umpire:

“Can I borrow your microphone?”

The umpire responded:

“What do you want to say?”

Osaka replied:

“I just want to say something. I’m not going to curse. I don’t curse. It’s just weighing on my heart.”

The umpire communicated with her supervisor, who declined Osaka's request, telling her that a player being given a microphone during a match was unprecedented.

Osaka was clearly unsettled, and fell behind against the Russian Veronika Kudermetova, losing the first set 6-0. Despite a second set fight back, the Japanese lost 0-6 and 4-6.

After the match, Osaka asked to speak to the crowd, which typically does not happen when a player loses a match.

Osaka then asked to speak to the crowd after the match, which is unusual when a player suffers defeat.

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Choking up, Osaka said:

"To be be honest, I've been heckled before. It didn't really bother me. But heckled here, like, I've watched a video of Venus and Serena (Williams) get heckled here, and if you've never watched it, you should watch it. I don't know why, but it went into my head and got replayed a lot."

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