Known off the court for her quiet demeanour, Naomi Osaka lets her wardrobe do the talking.
Collaborating with powerhouses like Law Roach, Robert Wun, and Thom Browne, the 28-year-old four-time Grand Slam champion is redefining sports culture by turning custom Nike kits and avant-garde entrances into a powerful form of personal storytelling.
The inspiration behind Osaka's looks
The tennis star explained during her interview with "ESPNW" that she uses it as a way of self-expression since she is someone who does not talk a lot.
"I take myself so seriously as a tennis player and it's just fun to be able to create and also just see what the fashion world kind of sees when they look at me too," she said.
Osaka explained that she also has a lot of input when it comes to creating her looks. Designers and stylists put together her ideas and make them come to life.
Here are some of the standout looks that have cemented Osaka as one of tennis’ most stylish players:
A modern take on Japanese heritage
Osaka brought her Japanese heritage to the forefront with a striking white kimono-inspired look created in collaboration with Japan-based designer Hana Yagi.
The ensemble was more than just a dramatic entrance. It offered a subtle celebration of Osaka’s roots while also paying homage to the film “Kill Bill”.
The flowing silhouette gave the traditional-inspired look a contemporary edge, proving once again that Osaka is not afraid to experiment with fashion when she steps onto the court.
"My Japanese heritage means a lot to me ... so I thought it would be cool to come out in a kimono," Osaka shared at a pre-tournament press conference early this year.
When Osaka channelled the jellyfish
One of Osaka’s most memorable entrances came courtesy of designer Wun, who created a whimsical, sculptural look inspired by a jellyfish.
Osaka explained during her on-court interview that the design was modelled after the sea creature.
The inspiration, however, was even more personal because the idea came from an image in a children’s book she had been reading to her daughter.
A courtside tribute to Allen Iverson
Osaka took her fashion game in a completely different direction with a look inspired by basketball icon Allen Iverson.
Styled by Roach, Osaka wore a custom Who Decides War ensemble featuring an enormous white tulle skirt paired with an asymmetrical grey hooded top covered in newspaper clippings documenting moments from her career.
The look was finished with an armband and headband, a clear nod to Iverson’s signature basketball style.
Beneath all the drama was Osaka’s actual Nike playing kit: a black tank and metallic silver skirt.
Osaka has previously spoken about her admiration for Iverson and the influence he has had on sports fashion.
“He’s someone that I look up to a lot,” she told the media before the tournament.
“He’s kind of done a lot in fashion, whether it’s on purpose or not, but he’s shifted the way that NBA players dress,” Osaka explained.
Tennis whites but make them dramatic
Osaka’s love for dramatic silhouettes was on full display in a custom Thom Browne ensemble that gave traditional tennis whites a fashion-forward makeover.
The crisp white look featured a flowing jacket embroidered with crossed tennis racquets, while the long, trailing silhouette added plenty of drama to the otherwise classic colour palette.
The skirt also featured mesh detailing designed to resemble a basketball net, bringing another unexpected sporting reference into the look.
When tailoring meets streetwear
For another appearance, Osaka swapped the dramatic whites for an oversized grey Monse ensemble in collaboration with Nike Sportswear that blurred the line between tailoring and sportswear.
The look featured a hybrid of a structured suit jacket and a hoodie, paired with loose grey fleece trousers. The entire outfit reimagines professional attire for Osaka, according to Monse's Instagram caption.
The combination gave traditional tailoring a relaxed, courtside feel while maintaining the oversized proportions that have become a key part of contemporary street style.
kamogelo.makhura@nationalmg.co.za
