Naomi Osaka has once again turned heads on the tennis circuit, this time not just for her powerful baseline game but for the bold, eye‑catching outfits she wore throughout the US Open. The two‑time champion, who fell in a one‑sided fourth‑round encounter with Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina, used the tournament as a runway to showcase a series of striking ensembles that blended sport, streetwear, and high fashion.
Osaka’s sartorial statements have sparked a wave of commentary, ranging from admiration to criticism, prompting the Japanese star to take to social media to defend her creative decisions. In a candid post on the platform Threads, Osaka addressed the detractors directly, writing, "You know… idgaf if you don’t like me. I don’t mind being the first to do something and getting trashed for it.
This happened when I talked about mental health and for some reason it’s happening with my clothes lol. I’m literally Haitian, it’s in my blood to be this way, as long as the people after me have an easier path it’s worth it." Her message underscored a long‑standing commitment to authenticity and to using her visibility to challenge norms, whether those norms involve mental‑health stigma or the expectations placed on athletes to conform to a narrow definition of on‑court appearance.
Osaka’s fashion narrative at the US Open was anchored by a basketball motif, a nod to her partnership with Nike and the brand’s celebration of the New York Knicks’ recent championship victory. Each round featured a distinct look that paid homage to basketball legends, street culture, and avant‑garde tailoring, while also integrating functional elements suited for a high‑intensity tennis match.
During her opening match, Osaka arrived in a striking homage to NBA icon Allen Iverson. She wore a flowing white tulle skirt paired with a dramatic, grey, hooded robe.
When she slipped off the hood, her hair—styled in cornrows and secured with a headband—mirrored Iverson’s signature look from his MVP‑winning days with the Philadelphia 76ers. The outfit, crafted by the New York streetwear collective Who Decides War, merged the theatricality of runway fashion with the gritty aesthetic of basketball streetwear, signaling Osaka’s intent to blur the lines between sport and style. The second‑round ensemble was a collaborative piece with Thom Browne, featuring a crisp white jacket embroidered with crossed tennis rackets, a subtle reference to Osaka’s own sport.
Beneath the jacket, she wore a tennis skirt constructed from mesh that resembled a basketball net, reinforcing the tournament’s overarching theme. This look demonstrated Osaka’s ability to integrate tennis symbolism into a broader cultural conversation, turning the court into a stage for artistic expression.
In the third round, Osaka opted for a hybrid silhouette from the label Monse. The outfit combined a grey suit jacket with a hoodie‑style sweatshirt, layered over loose, fleece joggers. This marriage of business attire and athletic wear created a versatile, gender‑fluid look that challenged conventional tennis dress codes while still allowing for movement and comfort. The oversized proportions and muted palette offered a calm counterpoint to the high‑energy matches she was playing.
Following her defeat in the fourth round, Osaka stepped onto the court in a multicolored, fur‑trimmed cloak designed by Brooklyn’s KidSuper. The vibrant coat, dripping with color and texture, served as a visual celebration of her journey through the tournament, regardless of the outcome. When asked whether she regretted not being able to debut additional planned looks, Osaka responded with optimism: "I mean, I think there’s always something, you know?
I feel like that’s a way that I can have fun and sort of just excite myself, also." Her answer highlighted her view of fashion as a continual source of joy and personal experimentation. Osaka’s approach to fashion at the US Open reflects a broader shift in professional tennis, where players are increasingly using their platforms to make statements beyond the baseline.
From Serena Williams’s iconic catsuit at the French Open to Naomi’s own bold choices, the sport is witnessing a renaissance of self‑expression that challenges the traditionally conservative dress codes of the game. By aligning herself with brands like Nike, Who Decides War, Thom Browne, Monse, and KidSuper, Osaka not only showcases cutting‑edge design but also supports emerging designers and streetwear innovators, thereby fostering a more inclusive fashion ecosystem. Beyond aesthetics, Osaka’s willingness to speak openly about mental health and cultural identity adds depth to her public persona.
Her Haitian heritage, which she proudly references in her social media post, informs her fearless approach to both sport and style. By embracing her roots and encouraging future generations to feel comfortable in their skin, she positions herself as a role model who transcends the confines of tennis. The US Open, broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, continues to be a platform where athletic excellence and cultural commentary intersect.
Viewers can follow the tournament via NOW or the Sky Sports App, and the event also serves as a prelude to other major tennis spectacles, such as the Laver Cup at The O2 in London later in September. Osaka’s fashion narrative, however, will likely be remembered as a defining moment of the 2024 US Open, illustrating how an athlete can simultaneously compete at the highest level while redefining the visual language of the sport.