Glittery Labubus named after tennis players
During a tennis match, most fans keep their eyes on the ball as players whiz it back and forth with their rackets.
But at this year’s U.S. open, tennis balls aren’t the only things pulling focus.
This week, Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka played each of her games at the tournament while sporting glittery Labubus on her racket bag.
She said the Labubus — which represent past tennis players — started out as a joke, but she’s glad people are enjoying the spectacle.
“Honestly, I’m not a Labubu collector,” Osaka said in a press conference. “This is kind of like a one-time thing for the tournament.”
Osaka’s 4 Labubu tributes
Osaka named one of the Labubus Arthur Flash after Arthur Ashe, a pioneer in the sport of tennis as the only Black man to win the singles titles at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and the Australian Open.
A second Labubu was nicknamed Billie Jean Bling after tennis legend Billie Jean King.
King is an American former world No. 1 tennis player who won 39 grand slam titles.
Osaka’s Arthur Flash Labubu, left, and Billie Jean Bling Labubu, right, were mementos to past players. (Image credits: Naomi Osaka/Instagram)
Osaka named a third Labubu Althea Glitterson after Althea Gibson, a tennis champion who broke the sport’s colour barrier, becoming the first Black woman to win a grand slam event in 1956.
Osaka’s fourth and final Labubu also honoured Billie Jean King, but with a twist — it had her signature big glasses on.
Osaka’s Althea Glitterson Labubbu, left, and another Labubu representing Billie Jean King. (Image credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth/The Associated Press, Naomi Osaka/Instagram)
What’s next for Osaka?
On Sept. 3, Osaka will play on in the U.S. Open, competing in the semifinals against Czechia’s Karolína Muchová.
Only time will tell if the Labubus continue to bring Osaka good luck.
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With files from The Associated Press, Reuters
AloJapan.com