Naomi Osaka’s comeback has been defined more by off-court noise than on-court wins, and now she’s firing back at the critics who won’t stop talking. From complaints about her on-court grunting to a heated moment with Sorana Cîrstea in Melbourne, the four-time Grand Slam champion has had enough. And her message is blunt.

The former World No. 1 directly addressed podcasters questioning whether grunting is unsportsmanlike. Taking to Threads, she wrote: “I laugh when people that don’t know anything about tennis start a podcast about tennis. What do you mean grunting is unsportsmanlike, and it gives you the ick? Watch a different sport lol.” She later reposted it to Instagram Stories with another jab:

“Cause who gave them a microphone? Take it awayyyуууу.” For Osaka, the issue wasn’t just the noise – it was the perception that outsiders were defining competitive behavior without understanding the sport’s physical demands.

Grunting has divided tennis for decades. Some see it as gamesmanship; others, as biomechanics. Controlled exhalation helps players stabilize the core, synchronize timing, and generate power, essentially linking breathing to shot production. And Osaka is far from alone. Players like Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal, Aryna Sabalenka, and Carlos Alcaraz have all been known for vocal intensity on court.

Research has long suggested grunting can actually enhance performance by improving breath control and force generation – helping players hit harder and more precisely during high-speed rallies. Still, the backlash never disappears. Traditionalists argue that excessive noise disrupts opponents and diminishes the sport’s aesthetic appeal.

The controversy dates back decades – Martina Navratilova famously complained about Monica Seles in the 1990s, while Agnieszka Radwańska once called Sharapova “too loud.” Even recently, Sabalenka revealed a grunting-related umpire call fueled her semifinal intensity in Melbourne.

In other words, the sport has been argued about longer than many podcasts have existed. Rather than just defending herself, Naomi Osaka is stepping into the conversation, literally.

Osaka’s vow to launch an unfiltered podcast with Townsend wasn’t a passing remark – she doubled down, offering more details about what they have in mind.

Naomi Osaka reveals plans with her close friend Taylor Townsend

Off the court, Naomi Osaka and Taylor Townsend have quietly become one of tennis’ most entertaining duos. Now, their friendship may be heading to an entirely new platform – a podcast.

Their budding friendship has unfolded in public – playful, protective and unmistakably genuine. From enthusiastic Instagram shoutouts during the US Open to carefree offseason moments that fans rarely see from elite athletes, Naomi Osaka and Taylor Townsend have built a rapport that feels both authentic and unfiltered.

When Townsend made her doubles run in New York, Osaka was among her loudest supporters, joking online that her friend’s growing trophy collection was “sickening.”

Weeks later, that competitive fire gave way to pure offseason joy as the pair went viral dancing on a yacht in the Caribbean to a mash-up of Nicki Minaj’s Beez in the Trap and 4 Non Blondes’ What’s Up? A glimpse of relaxed chemistry rarely captured between top players.

But their connection runs deeper than social media banter. When Townsend faced verbal criticism from Jelena Ostapenko at the US Open, Naomi Osaka didn’t hesitate to speak up. “I know Taylor, and I know how hard she’s worked, and I know how smart she is… she’s the furthest thing from uneducated,” Osaka told reporters, firmly backing her friend.

Recently, Osaka floated a new idea on social media: “Me and @tay_taytownsend are gonna start a podcast. We would get canceled after the first episode though #nofilter.” Townsend immediately embraced it, replying: “You know… let’s cook up, sis.” The concept promises candid player perspectives – something fans rarely hear directly from the locker room.

Amid all these, there is also some sad news for all the Naomi Osaka fans out there…

While she’s exploring new ventures off the court, Naomi Osaka is also recalibrating her schedule on it. The four-time Grand Slam champion has withdrawn from the Qatar Open and confirmed she will also skip the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Instead, she’s setting her sights on a return during the Sunshine Double, beginning with the Indian Wells Open and followed by the Miami Open in March.