Naomi Osaka made a stylish entrance on the second day of the US Open, showcasing a playful outfit that turned heads. The tennis sensation arrived at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York, dressed in a custom Nike ensemble crafted by AMBUSH designer Yoon Ahn. Her striking outfit featured a white and neon green detachable tutu with layered tulle, paired with a cropped jacket adorned with a large green bow.
To complete her look, Osaka donned a coordinating green visor and white Nike sneakers embellished with small bows at the heels.
As she prepared for her match against Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko, Osaka transitioned from her attention-grabbing outfit, removing layers to reveal a neon green tennis dress accented with stacked ruffles and frills.
Osaka’s intricate fashion choices pay homage to her Japanese heritage. “I remember one of the first times I went to Japan, I saw so many frills and so many bows,” she shared with the New York Times. “While I wouldn’t typically label myself as girlish on the court, I naturally gravitate towards beautiful and cute elements. I believe there’s a certain coolness in emphasizing that.”
She also expressed her feelings about the color green, stating, “[The color green] gives me peace and serenity. I think colors give you power.”
Designer Yoon Ahn expressed her enthusiasm for Osaka’s outfit on Instagram, noting that the creation took two years to develop from their first meeting to the match day. She described the inspiration behind the look, referencing “Lolita fashion,” which offers a whimsical escape from adulthood, embodying the innocence of childhood and allowing individuals to craft an idealized identity.
Ahn emphasized that designing for athletes involves understanding their stories and the different dimensions of their personalities beyond their sports identities.
In addition to her striking appearance, Osaka achieved a significant milestone on Tuesday by securing her first top-10 win in four years. She defeated former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko with a score of 6-3, 6-2 in the first round of the US Open, allowing her to progress to the next stage of the tournament.