Naomi Osaka Shares Interesting Reason Behind Iconic Australian Open Fashion Statement: “I’m a Little Strange”

Naomi Osaka‘s entrance at the Australian Open with her jellyfish-themed outfit, a wide-brimmed hat with a veil, and a white umbrella made global headlines. Osaka has always turned heads with her bold choices, but this time, she took her fashion to another level.

Osaka, however, struggled during her first-round match, though she eventually won it with scores of 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Against her was unseeded Croatian, Antonia Ruzic. Later at the press conference, the four-time Grand Slam winner said she wouldn’t have cared much had she suffered an exit wearing that iconic turquoise outfit.

Honestly, I realize I’m a little strange because I don’t really think I care. For me, I just feel like I want to do things that create joy and happiness. And for me, obviously, I really love fashion. That makes me excited to wake up and do the whole walk on or whatever. It creates a little more joy in that whole match preparation. But no, I don’t think in my mind, ‘I’m gonna put this on, and if I lose it’s a wrap.

Naomi Osaka said

Her custom kit was a result of a collaboration between her, Nike, and couturier Robert Wun, who is also a huge tennis fan. The idea came to her when she was reading a story to her two-year-old daughter, Shai.

When I look back at the players who came before me, I think about how those moments- those looks- have become memories that live forever. So much of the time, other people get to write our stories for us. This felt like a moment where I could write a little bit of my own.

Naomi Osaka told Vogue

The four-time Grand Slam champion will next be locking horns with Sorana Cirstea, who eliminated Eva Lys. The upcoming match will be their second meeting following their clash in the first qualifier of the 2015 Wimbledon, which the Romanian ace won.

Naomi Osaka thinks not every player is comfortable in making a fashion statement

Following her first-round win, Naomi Osaka was asked at the press conference whether she thinks her fellow players would be comfortable following in her steps when it comes to fashion. The 28-year-old thinks it all comes down to players’ personalities.

I think it all comes down to personality, too. Like, I don’t expect someone that’s really reserved to freaking put a veil on their head and go out and play their match. But I think people, I don’t know… You see bits of personality. I’ve seen people with bows in their hair, and I think that’s always going to be the first step into something, and I’m always curious to see what is the next thing is.

Naomi Osaka said

Last year at Melbourne Park, Osaka, after two three-set wins in the first two rounds, gave the walkover to Belinda Bencic after losing the first set of her third-round clash. But Osaka has tasted glory in the Major Down Under not once but twice.

Back in 2019, she clinched her career’s second Grand Slam title by defeating Petra Kvitova in Melbourne. Later at the 2021 Australian Open, she defeated Jennifer Brady.

But since that win, the former World No.1 has yet to lift a title. She has featured in three finals since winning that Australian Open title.

Last year, after handing the walkover to Clara Tauson at the ASB Classic, Osaka reached the championship clash of the Canadian Open but failed to go past home favorite Victoria Mboko. Osaka produced her best Grand Slam performance last year by reaching the semifinals of the US Open, losing the match to eventual runner-up Amanda Anisimova.

Also read: Jannik Sinner Makes Awkward Admission on Playing Doubles with Nick Kyrgios

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