Naomi Osaka has always had a knack for making an impression. At the Australian Open, the four-time Grand Slam champion, now 28, made a stunning entrance in a mesmerising jellyfish-inspired outfit – complete with an elegant wide-brimmed hat and long white veil – designed by Robert Wun, who is known for his work with Beyoncé.
For this week’s French Open, it was hard to imagine how she could top that. But when she stepped out in a black corset and cascading pleated skirt by designer Kevin Germanier, beloved by artists like Lady Gaga and Björk, she quickly shed the outer layer to reveal a glittering copper tennis dress.
“I actually got a little worried because when the sun hits the dress, it reflects a lot, so I was a little scared the umpire was going to kick me off the court,” Osaka joked about the sparkling “Eiffel Tower at night” ensemble.
She added: “I’ve got two backup, normal dresses – thankfully I didn’t have to wear them.” She explained that for her, Grand Slam walk-ons are the only time she feels like an entertainer.
Osaka’s opponent, Germany’s Laura Siegemund, whom she defeated 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) to reach the second round, seemed visibly upset. “I couldn’t care less,” she told TNT Sports. “I come here to play tennis, not put on a fashion show.” However, she later claimed that Osaka’s dramatic outfit change broke time-keeping rules, saying, “Once again, bigger names are treated differently.”
It seems she did care – just a little bit.
Throughout her career, Osaka has often been treated differently, not always for the better. After winning her first-ever Grand Slam against American legend Serena Williams at just 20 years old, she broke down in tears of dismay instead of joy. The situation escalated when the umpire, Carlos Ramos, accused Williams of receiving on-court coaching and docked her game. This led to Williams calling him a “thief” and later accusing him of sexism, sparking significant controversy.
As Osaka collected her trophy, the crowd booed while she wept. “Not only was a game taken from me but a defining, triumphant moment was taken from another player,” Williams later wrote in an essay for Harper’s Bazaar. “My heart broke.”
The incident was especially painful for Osaka, as Williams is one of her idols. This connection is evident in Osaka’s fashion choices, where she follows in Williams’ footsteps by making bold, expressive statements on the court. These choices challenge the traditional norms of the sport, which often feel restrictive.
Notably, Osaka faced intense racial abuse after supporting Black Lives Matter in 2020.
Williams has long challenged traditional tennis dress codes with innovative outfits. Her 2018 French Open catsuit, which she described as making her feel “like a superhero,” was banned by the French Tennis Federation for not “respecting the game and the place.” Months later, she appeared at the US Open in a black one-shoulder tennis dress with a tutu, calling it “easy to play in, kind of aerodynamic.”
Osaka’s wardrobe has sparked discussions around the policing of women’s bodies in sports and the functionality of athletic wear. Many pointed out that the clothing controversies often felt like another way to target a Black player in an overwhelmingly white, historically exclusionary sport. A tutu somehow became seen as a threat to the status quo.
Interestingly, few have raised concerns about Aryna Sabalenka wearing £76,000 worth of diamonds and garnets with a sheer Nike super suit at Roland Garros. “I love it,” Sabalenka said of Osaka’s latest look. “She feels confident. That’s the beauty of the fashion world. There’s a space for everything. I love that she’s bringing it on [to] the court.”
Sabalenka also expressed her hope to one day create something equally impressive for an Open entrance.
Elite sportswomen don’t want to be judged solely on their outfits, but when the coverage and prime time slots for women’s tennis at tournaments like the French Open still lag behind the men’s game, using a bit of tulle and sequins can help attract attention.
“I tend to win more when I’m having fun,” Osaka previously told Vogue about her relationship with sport and fashion. So far, that seems to be true – and the tennis season is just getting started.
