Naomi Osaka once again stole the spotlight with a bold Grand Slam walk-on outfit at the U.S. Open on Monday before the two-time champion battled past unseeded Russian Anastasia Zakharova 7-6(6), 7-6(3) to reach the second round.
Osaka has emerged as one of the fashion highlights of this year’s Grand Slam season, and she made another striking entrance at Arthur Ashe Stadium in a hooded tunic featuring patchwork-style panels decorated with press clippings from her past tournament appearances, complemented by a flowing white tulle train.
The Japanese star also made a statement at Wimbledon, where she paid tribute to her heritage with a kimono-inspired ensemble and traditional kanzashi hair ornament before changing into a white Nike playing kit for her match.
At Roland Garros, she arrived in a black Kevin Germanier skirt and competed in a layered yellow, brown and gold outfit inspired by the Eiffel Tower’s nighttime sparkle.
Her look at the Australian Open took its cues from a jellyfish.
Competing at Flushing Meadows in an Allen Iverson-inspired outfit, the four-time Grand Slam champion looked set for a straightforward victory after racing into a 4-1 lead, only for world No. 101 Zakharova to force a tiebreak.
“It’s my tribute to Iverson,” Osaka said of the NBA Hall of Famer. “I really like him a lot.
“Nike said basketball, so I said, ‘You want basketball, I’ll give you basketball.’ I like expressing myself through clothes, and I’m glad you guys appreciate it.”
Osaka showed her battling qualities to win the tiebreak before being taken to another in the second set, where she held her nerve to close out the victory.
“I would say it took everything (to win),” Osaka said as the clock approached 12:30 a.m. Tuesday.
“I have no idea what time it is. Thanks for staying,” she told fans. “I’m grateful to be able to play on this court again.
“I just told myself to not have any regrets. I wanted to come out and compete. I haven’t played since Toronto, so I was a little rusty. I get nervous in the first rounds. I want to do well and show you guys new outfits.”
The No. 13 seed, who won the U.S. Open in 2018 and 2020, will face Czech Katerina Siniakova in the second round.
