Naomi Osaka was dressed for success as she played against top 10 player Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia in the first round of the women’s singles on day two of the 2024 US Open. The four-time Grand Slam champion defeated Ostapenko on Tuesday while covered from head to toe in arches.
The match took place on August 27 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Flushing section of the New York City borough of Queens. The athlete entered the court wearing a pair of white, over-ear Beats headphones that were decorated with green bands on the ear cups and the headband area covered with white ruffles. She wore a cropped white Nike jacket and her gym bag was also decorated with a huge white bow.
Her outfit was adorned with more bows, including on the back of her bomber jacket, on her light green tennis dress, and on the back of her lime green and white Nike sneakers. The sneakers had two small lime green bows behind the heel that matched the swoosh and sole of the sneaker perfectly, giving the shoe a girly and vibrant look.
Her custom ensemble was a collaboration between AMBUSH designer Yoon Ahn and Nike. The look included a removable green and white tulle tutu as well as a sheer white windbreaker with a bright green bow on the back. Since returning from maternity leave, Osaka has shared that fashion is a way to boost her confidence on the court. “When I wear an outfit that I think is good, I definitely feel more comfortable,” she said in an interview with The New York Times last week ahead of the US Open.
However, the bows are more than just a cute addition to her ensemble. They represent her Japanese heritage and are an ode to Harajuku style and culture. “I remember one of my first times in Japan when I saw so many ruffles and bows,” the tennis pro told the newspaper.
“I wouldn’t automatically describe myself as girly on the court, but I tend to wear really pretty and cute things. I think it’s pretty cool to highlight that.”
Osaka also sported a similar black and white look, which was intentionally chosen as it gives her a different energy. “(The color green) gives me peace and serenity,” Osaka said of her look. “I think colors give you strength.” She added that the black and white ensemble made her feel powerful: “I feel a little bit like Black Panther.”
