For her highly anticipated return to the US Open, Naomi Osaka is bringing a touch of magic to the court with her new looks, which are anything but conventional. The 26-year-old tennis star’s outfits might come as a surprise to fans expecting the usual streamlined tennis wear.
Instead of a traditional look, Osaka’s walk-on skirt features a voluminous tulle petticoat. Pre-tournament images showed her in a high-shine black bomber jacket with an oversized white bow, complemented by a lighter lime version worn during her first-round match against Jeļena Ostapenko. After removing the jacket to win the match, Osaka’s vibrant green tiered skirt was still adorned with bows—one at the back and two on her sneaker heels.
In a Nike press statement, Osaka shared that her inspiration for the look came from the concept of being a “magical girl” on the court. She described it as a moment of transformation and fun, hoping that her outfit would help others connect with that feeling. Designed by Yoon Ahn for Nike, the frilly, coquettish attire serves as a form of subversive armor for the Japanese star.
Osaka has faced significant challenges since withdrawing from the French Open and Wimbledon in 2021 and exiting the US Open in Round 3. Taking extended breaks for her mental health and to become a mother, she has been candid about her struggles, especially after losing in the Cincinnati Open qualifiers earlier this month. In an Instagram post, she spoke about her difficulties adjusting to her post-baby body and her feeling of being disconnected from her former self.
Despite these challenges, Osaka views the adjustment as a process and remains committed to her comeback. This is her first US Open appearance since 2022.
Ahn revealed that the mood board for Osaka’s outfits was inspired by the “Lolita goth” community—a lacey, anime-inspired style from 1990s Japan that still influences young fashion enthusiasts globally. This style embraces elements like pinks, frills, and bows, celebrating youthful femininity.
In today’s fashion landscape, symbols of girlhood are being celebrated rather than diminished. From the ribbon-laced hiking sneakers in the Sandy Liang x Salomon collaboration to the high-fashion bows of Simone Rocha, Prada, and Chanel, overtly feminine details are now worn with pride.
Osaka herself noted that while she doesn’t usually associate her on-court persona with girlishness, she is drawn to beautiful and cute things. “I think there’s something quite cool in making that an emphasis, especially here in New York,” she said. “In New York, the tennis court is more like a stage.”
Similarly, tulle has recently been embraced in new ways, as seen in Ella Emhoff’s baby blue tulle dress at the Democratic National Convention. Emhoff’s look, alongside Harris’ goddaughter and niece, signifies a modern take on power dressing—one that defies traditional expectations. Osaka’s embrace of tulle reflects this same bold approach.
“We live in a girls’ world, and I wanted to embody that in Naomi’s on-court look,” Ahn stated. Her new Nike Women’s collection, launching soon, extends this idea, encouraging women to express their character and personal style through fashion.
