Emma Raducanu has moved swiftly to dispel speculation that her two-finger celebration after defeating Naomi Osaka at the Citi DC Open on July 24, 2025, was a response to any perceived shade from her opponent. The 22-year-old British star secured a commanding 6-4, 6-2 victory under the lights at the William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Center in Washington, D.C., concluding at 11:36 PM WAT on Thursday, propelling her into the quarter-finals and boosting her live WTA ranking to No. 39. The gesture, where she raised two fingers skyward, sparked immediate online buzz, with some linking it to Osaka’s pre-match comments about her Slam success. However, Raducanu addressed the rumors head-on in a post-match interview, clarifying the intent behind her celebration at 01:44 PM WAT on Friday, July 25, 2025, as the tennis world digests the moment.
The speculation arose from a remark Osaka made to Ben Rothenberg ahead of the match, where she contrasted her career trajectory—winning the 2018 US Open, followed by three more Slams (2020 US Open, 2021 Australian Open)—with Raducanu’s singular 2021 US Open triumph as a qualifier. Osaka stated, “I won my second Slam after I won my first Slam,” a comment some interpreted as a subtle jab at Raducanu’s lack of repeat success amid injuries and form dips. This fueled theories that Raducanu’s two-finger salute—mimicking a peace sign or victory symbol—was a retort. Yet, Raducanu quashed these notions, explaining, “It’s just an inside joke with my friends from Wimbledon. It’s something we’ve been doing for fun.” She emphasized that the gesture held no malice, aligning with her earlier gracious praise of Osaka’s legacy.
Raducanu’s on-court tribute had already set a tone of respect, as she noted, “Naomi’s won four Slams, been world No. 1… she’s so dangerous. I knew I had to play really well.” This victory, her highest-ranked win since beating No. 7 Ons Jabeur in May, showcased her resurgence with a 68% first-serve rate and just one double fault, contrasting Osaka’s 22 unforced errors. The clarification shifts focus from rivalry tension to Raducanu’s lighthearted connection with her support circle, a contrast to her recent admission about struggling to form tour friendships due to fame’s isolation.
Fans on X offered mixed reactions, with @tennisgossip suggesting, “Thought it was a dig, but Emma’s explanation makes sense,” while @EmmaRadFans cheered, “Love her keeping it fun!” As she prepares for her quarter-final against No. 2 seed Maria Sakkari on July 25 at 11:00 AM WAT—mere hours away at 01:44 PM WAT—Raducanu’s transparency reinforces her maturity. This moment, captured in the early afternoon heat of Washington, underscores her ability to blend competitive excellence with personal authenticity, ensuring the narrative remains one of growth rather than grudge, as the WTA 500 event progresses toward its July 27 conclusion.
