Inspired by the stories of the “underwater world” that she reads to her 2-year-old daughter, Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka entered her first round Australian Open Match in an ensemble that sparked debate.
Osaka’s outfit, a sheer chiffon veil and aqua tennis dress with green tendrils, drew comparisons to a jellyfish. Her white Brummel-esque hat evoked elements of 19th-century dandyism and her plissé pants matched this upper ensemble. She made her way to face Croatian opponent Antonia Ružić, carrying a geometric white parasol.
Osaka collaborated with Nike, hairstylist Marty Harper and designer Robert Wun in her appearance. Wun said he was inspired by the iconic moment during the 2021 Australian Open when a butterfly landed on Osaka’s nose. He featured a butterfly as an accent on Osaka’s hat.
Her attire elicited a range of opinions.
Story continues below advertisement
“I think what she’s doing for the sport and the fashion is cool and bringing new eyes to the sport,” two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff said for Sky Sports.
TNT Sports and Eurosport Tennis commentators praised Osaka’s outfit as “brilliant” and the “ultimate walk-on.”
However, others claimed the look detracted from the tradition and prestige of the sport. Doubles champion Jamie Murray, the brother of renowned tennis player Andy Murray, was unimpressed, saying Osaka’s getup resembled Mary Poppins.
“For me, I was just like, what? Like, what are you doing?” Murray said on BBC 5 Live Sport.
Osaka defended her outfit choice after the criticism.
“I don’t do this for them,” Osaka said for Sky Sports. “They will never get it, and I don’t want them to. I do this for the people that are like me.”
How warranted is the critique of Osaka’s outfit as “classless” when similar disruptions of tradition are accepted where white players are concerned? From catsuits at Wimbledon and the French Open to tutus at the US Open, players express their individuality on the world stage through a variety of stylistic choices.
Osaka’s performance has the potential to attract new audiences to tennis. Her outfit did not erode tennis tradition but rather exposed whose expressions have historically dictated the norms.
AloJapan.com