Naomi Osaka: Grand Slam Fashion and Performance
A Fusion of Sport and Style
Naomi Osaka has advanced in multiple Grand Slam tournaments by combining on-court performance with distinctive fashion statements. The former world No. 1 and four-time major champion has worn custom-designed outfits at the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon in 2025 and 2026, with each ensemble drawing inspiration from personal, cultural, or visual references.
Australian Open First Round (2025)
Match Result
Naomi Osaka, the No. 16 seed, defeated Antonia Ruzic 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in 2 hours and 22 minutes at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
Outfit Details
Osaka entered the court wearing a wide-brim hat, veil, flowing pants, and a white parasol, later removing the outer layer to reveal a turquoise ruffled dress. The butterfly symbol on her hat and umbrella referenced her 2021 Australian Open title, during which a butterfly landed on her nose during a third-round match. Osaka stated the jellyfish-inspired dress was designed in collaboration with Nike and was a tribute to her daughter, Shai.
"Athletes are in show business. Grand Slam walk-ons are the only time that I possibly feel like I'm an entertainer."
Osaka said the outfit, developed over months with designer Robert Wun and Nike, also drew inspiration from a visit to Harajuku, Japan, when she was 13, where she observed individuals expressing themselves through clothing. She acknowledged the on-court styles of Serena and Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Her only pre-match concern involved whether the umbrella would fit through the stadium tunnel.
French Open First and Second Rounds (2025 & 2026)
Match Results
At the 2025 French Open, Osaka defeated Laura Siegemund 6-3, 7-6(3) in the first round, followed by a 7-6(7-1), 6-4 victory over Donna Vekic in the second round.
At the 2026 French Open, Osaka again defeated Laura Siegemund 6-3, 7-6(3).
Outfit Details
For the first round, Osaka entered the court wearing a custom all-black ensemble by Swiss designer Kevin Germanier, made from her past competition gear. The outfit consisted of a sleeveless corseted top with beading and a semi-sheer pleated skirt. She then removed the outer pieces to reveal a gold sequined Nike dress with a peplum top and ruffled two-tiered skirt. Osaka compared the dress's appearance to the sparkle of the Eiffel Tower at night. She stated that Nike designed the playing dress while Germanier designed the outer pieces.
For the second round, Osaka wore a gold sequined dress, a metallic gold bomber jacket, and an ivory train, removing the jacket and train before play.
Player Statements
Osaka stated that she initially worried the reflective dress might cause issues with officials and had two backup Nike dresses ready. She noted that she has become accustomed to wearing distinctive outfits before matches, citing previous examples at the Australian Open and the 2024 U.S. Open, where she wore sparkly red roses in her ponytail. Osaka also attended the Met Gala in a notable outfit in 2025.
"I don't talk a lot. I can talk through my clothes. I'm a little dramatic when it comes to my fashion sense."
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said she appreciated Osaka's self-expression through fashion. Siegemund said she was not interested in the fashion aspect and focused on playing tennis.
Osaka advanced to the third round at the French Open for the first time since 2019.
Wimbledon First Round (2025)
Match Result
Osaka defeated Elsa Jacquemot 6-1, 7-5.
Outfit Details
Osaka wore a white, full-length kimono, complying with the tournament's all-white dress code. She stated the outfit was inspired by her Japanese heritage and the film Kill Bill, specifically the character played by Lucy Liu.
"When I think about Wimbledon, it's obviously the all white... In my head, when I think about that, I think about my cultures, my heritage, which is Japanese and Haitian."
After the match, Osaka explained: "You don't have to see the colour of a kimono to know that it is a kimono. I love Kill Bill. I remembered absolutely falling in love with Lucy Liu's character. She has an all-white kimono... It was like my interpretation of that, while also paying a lot of respect and love to Japan."
Background
Osaka has won four Grand Slam titles: two Australian Opens (2019, 2021) and two US Opens (2018, 2020). She has never advanced past the third round at the French Open. Her next opponent following the 2026 French Open first round was Donna Vekic.