In the emotionally charged atmosphere of the 2026 Australian Open, one of the most talked-about moments came not from a dramatic five-set thriller on Rod Laver Arena, but from a simple walkover and the powerful show of solidarity that followed. When Naomi Osaka withdrew from her third-round match against Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis due to a recurring left abdominal injury, the result handed Inglis a place in the fourth round without her having to hit a single ball in that encounter.

What should have been a career milestone quickly turned into a storm of online vitriol, with critics branding the 28-year-old Western Australian as “a lucky girl,” “arrogant,” and “undeserving” of advancing past a former world No. 1.

The backlash was relentless. Social media platforms overflowed with comments questioning Inglis’s talent, mocking her emotional post-walkover interview, and suggesting she had no right to celebrate or even feel disappointed about missing the chance to face Osaka on court. Inglis, visibly shaken, had broken down in tears during her on-court interview, defending her journey: “I know I might not beat Osaka in a full match, but I played 100% of my ability and passion every single round to get here. Do I deserve this criticism when I did nothing wrong?”

The criticism stung deeply for a player who had fought through qualifying rounds and early main-draw battles just to reach this stage at her home Grand Slam. Yet amid the noise, one voice rose above the rest—Australia’s top-ranked men’s player and national hero, Alex de Minaur.

Just hours after the controversy exploded, de Minaur posted a heartfelt and direct message on his social media channels that quickly went viral. In ten powerful words that would later bring Inglis to tears again—this time out of gratitude—he wrote:

“Support her, she did nothing wrong. She’s one of us.”

The statement was concise, unequivocal, and carried the weight of de Minaur’s standing in Australian tennis. As the country’s highest-ranked male player and a constant source of pride for the nation, his intervention shifted the narrative almost instantly. Fellow Aussies, tennis fans worldwide, and even some international players began reposting his words, adding messages of solidarity. The hashtag #SupportMaddison trended briefly in Australia, turning what had been a wave of negativity into a broader conversation about sportsmanship, empathy, and protecting one’s own.

In a follow-up interview with local media, de Minaur elaborated on why he felt compelled to speak out.

“We’re all in this together as Australian tennis players,” he said. “When one of us gets unfairly targeted for something completely out of their control, I can’t just sit back. Maddison worked incredibly hard to get where she is. Injuries happen—it’s part of our sport. No one should be made to feel guilty or ashamed because of it. She’s earned every bit of this run, and I’m proud of her.”

De Minaur’s words struck a personal chord with Inglis. In an emotional response shared later that evening, she revealed how deeply the support affected her.

“When I read Alex’s message, I just broke down again,” Inglis admitted. “He was the first person to stand up for me like that—so publicly, so simply, so strongly. Ten words changed everything. ‘Support her, she did nothing wrong.’ It meant the world.”

The incident highlighted the unique pressures faced by players outside the sport’s elite tier. While top seeds like Osaka receive understanding and sympathy when forced to retire, lower-ranked competitors often face suspicion and resentment when they benefit from the same circumstances. Inglis had already spent more than six hours on court in singles matches leading up to the third round, plus additional time in doubles, making the walkover a deserved moment of rest rather than an unearned gift.

Osaka herself handled the withdrawal with her characteristic grace. In her official statement, she expressed disappointment but wished Inglis well, acknowledging the physical toll the injury had taken and her hope to return stronger. Tennis Australia confirmed the medical details, underscoring that the decision was made in consultation with her team and medical staff—no gamesmanship, no controversy on her end.

Yet the online pile-on against Inglis persisted until de Minaur’s intervention helped turn the tide. His defense reminded the tennis community that national pride should extend beyond individual rankings or star power. De Minaur, who has himself dealt with injury setbacks and the weight of being Australia’s leading hope in men’s tennis, understood the emotional rollercoaster Inglis was enduring.

The ripple effects were immediate. Commentators on Australian television began reframing the story, focusing on Inglis’s grit in qualifying and her composure under fire. International players, including several from the women’s tour, voiced support privately and publicly. Even some of the original critics softened their tone after seeing the outpouring of backing from within the Australian camp.

For Inglis, the experience became a defining chapter in her career. She later posted her own follow-up message, echoing the defiance she had shown earlier while expressing newfound gratitude:

“I will never cry because of hate again. I play this sport for my passion, not for approval. But knowing I have people like Alex in my corner makes me stronger than ever. Thank you.”

As the tournament progressed, Inglis carried that momentum onto the court. With an extra day of recovery thanks to the walkover, she prepared for her fourth-round clash with renewed focus and belief. Whether or not she advanced further, the respect she gained—from peers, fans, and especially from her compatriot de Minaur—proved more valuable than any single result.

De Minaur’s ten-word stand—“Support her, she did nothing wrong. She’s one of us.”—transcended the specifics of one match. It became a reminder that tennis, at its core, is a sport of individuals who share dreams, struggles, and a common flag. In defending Inglis so directly and unapologetically, de Minaur didn’t just protect a fellow player; he reinforced the values of loyalty, empathy, and unity that Australian tennis has long prided itself on.

The episode also sparked wider discussion about online toxicity in sports. How quickly joy can turn to scorn, how easily strangers weaponize anonymity to attack athletes already pushing their limits. De Minaur’s intervention showed that a single voice of reason—especially one with authority and authenticity—can drown out a chorus of negativity.

In the end, Maddison Inglis’s Australian Open 2026 will be remembered not only for the walkover or the injury that preceded it, but for the moment an entire tennis nation rallied behind one of its own. Thanks to Alex de Minaur’s simple, powerful defense, what began as a wave of criticism transformed into a powerful affirmation of solidarity.

Support her, she did nothing wrong.

And in the weeks and months that followed, those ten words continued to echo—proof that sometimes the most meaningful victories happen far from the baseline.