Naomi Osaka turned a US Open match into a fashion moment, walking onto the court against Belgium’s Greet Minnen in a bold, shimmering orange Nike look that left little to the imagination.
The clementine ensemble was all about sparkle. Osaka wore an elaborate tennis minidress whose top panels were dotted with crystals before flaring into a bubble skirt. A matching jacket, also encrusted with crystals, completed the top-half look. Accessories carried the bling a step further: bright red, crystal-covered rosettes pinned to her braids, red crystal headphones, and a labubu—totally bedazzled in fiery red—attached to her duffel bag. Even her gear got a glow-up, with a blue tennis racket that appeared to be covered in diamonds to match the rest of the outfit. The sparkle didn’t stop there; Osaka finished the look with a black Nike visor, wristbands, socks, and large diamond stud earrings, turning the match into a radiant display of sport-meets-fashion.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, has long been known for blending high fashion with high-level tennis, but this outing sparked attention for its maximalist energy. It’s not just Osaka pushing the envelope. Earlier in the tournament, Venus Williams also leaned into New York City designers, championing looks from Khaite and Luar, and finishing her appearance with an all-white ERL kit and a furry cream racket bag. The trend highlights fashion as a growing component of the court atmosphere, with players treating their outfits as part of their on-court persona and branding.
Taken together, Osaka’s daring clementine styling and Williams’s designer-forward ensembles underscore a broader shift in tennis fashion: players are embracing bold, narrative-driven outfits that mix luxury, whimsy, and performance. The sport’s runway moments are becoming an ongoing storyline as athletes use their apparel to express identity, boost confidence, and set the tone for what fans can expect from athletes both on and off the court.
Context and impact
Osaka’s on-court style continues to elevate the visibility of tennis fashion as a legitimate extension of athletic performance. Bold color, crystal embellishments, and designer collaborations are helping to blur the line between sport and style, inviting fans to engage with tennis not only for its competition but also for its evolving aesthetics. This trend may encourage younger players and fans to view fashion as part of the sport’s culture, potentially influencing sponsorships, brand partnerships, and even how players approach pre-match rituals and public appearances.
Positive note
Osaka’s confident, eye-catching look reflects a positive and playful momentum in tennis fashion, celebrating individuality while showcasing the sport’s growing appetite for expressive, high-glamour moments that still center on elite athletic performance.