Photo Credit:Robert Prange/Getty
Naomi Osaka transformed the US Open into her own fashion runway. The 26-year-old tennis star made a statement on the court during her match against Karolína Muchová on Thursday, August 29, in New York. Despite her stylish appearance, Osaka's run at the tournament ended as Muchová defeated her 6-3, 7-6 (5), halting Osaka's quest for a third US Open title.
Osaka's eye-catching outfit featured a black bomber jacket with a colored ribbon accent on the back, a tennis dress with a matching ribbon, and a tiered ruffle skirt. A white band separated the dress's top from the skirt, and she completed her Nike ensemble with sneakers that had a bow detail at the back.
Earlier in the tournament, on Tuesday, August 27, Osaka wore a green version of the outfit during her opening match against Jelena Ostapenko. At 27 years old, Ostapenko is currently ranked 10th in women's tennis, while Osaka is ranked 88th.
Before the US Open began, Osaka shared on Threads that her outfit, designed by Nike's Yoon Ahn, was "the best outfit I’ve ever worn." Born in Japan and moving to the U.S. at age 3, Osaka revealed to The New York Times that the bow and ruffle elements in her attire were inspired by her Japanese heritage.
"I remember visiting Japan and seeing so many frills and bows," Osaka recalled. She also mentioned that her outfit drew inspiration from ballet, a nod to her movement coach, who is a ballerina and also her mental coach. "Before I met her, I thought ballerinas were just flexible, but I’ve come to realize they’re incredibly strong," Osaka added, describing the outfit as a "beautiful garment."
Designer Yoon Ahn shared that Japanese cultural references were significant to Osaka from the beginning of their collaboration. "She sent me images of this ‘Lolita’ goth style she was into at the time,” Ahn explained. “It’s about embracing the cutesy, girly vibe with frills, bows, and lace."
Earlier in the tournament, on Tuesday, August 27, Osaka wore a green version of the outfit during her opening match against Jelena Ostapenko. At 27 years old, Ostapenko is currently ranked 10th in women's tennis, while Osaka is ranked 88th.
Before the US Open began, Osaka shared on Threads that her outfit, designed by Nike's Yoon Ahn, was "the best outfit I’ve ever worn." Born in Japan and moving to the U.S. at age 3, Osaka revealed to The New York Times that the bow and ruffle elements in her attire were inspired by her Japanese heritage.
"I remember visiting Japan and seeing so many frills and bows," Osaka recalled. She also mentioned that her outfit drew inspiration from ballet, a nod to her movement coach, who is a ballerina and also her mental coach. "Before I met her, I thought ballerinas were just flexible, but I’ve come to realize they’re incredibly strong," Osaka added, describing the outfit as a "beautiful garment."
Designer Yoon Ahn shared that Japanese cultural references were significant to Osaka from the beginning of their collaboration. "She sent me images of this ‘Lolita’ goth style she was into at the time,” Ahn explained. “It’s about embracing the cutesy, girly vibe with frills, bows, and lace."
