NEW YORK, USA – Twice US Open winner Naomi Osaka played like a tennis superhero on Tuesday, August 27, but instead of a cape, her super suit had bows.
She set the tennis world and the internet ablaze as she stepped out on Louis Armstrong Stadium donning a custom-made Nike kit designed by Yoon Ahn featuring a ruffled skirt and a jacket, shoes and headphones adorned in matching bows.
“I think for me, when I put on the outfit it’s almost like a super suit, so I try to channel that,” the former world No. 1 said.
The green-and-white outfit, one of two color schemes Osaka will showcase in Flushing Meadows this year, drew inspiration from Japan’s colorful, playful and self-expressive Harajuku style, she said.
“I chose the color like at least a year ago. I definitely love to be involved in everything I do, whether it’s fashion or anything else,” she told reporters after dispatching 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko, 6-3, 6-2, in her opening match on Tuesday.
Bowing to the Queen of Fashion, @naomiosaka 🎀 pic.twitter.com/7ngPZLOFdE
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 27, 2024
Like tennis style icon Serena Williams before her, Osaka said she channels strength from expression. But she did take pause before stepping out on the hard court.
“When I was putting on my outfit today, I was like, ‘ah, I hope this isn’t too much.’ Because I had the tutu and then I had the bow jacket and it was green.”
“I feel like everyone was staring at me funny. And then I put the headphones on. That was a real killer.”
Once on the court, Osaka’s killer focus and devastating serve prevailed over Ostapenko en route to a straight-set victory.
“I do remember thinking, like, I need to win this match so I can wear my other color.”
“Yeah, I guess you’ll see my other color next time.”
Surgical takedown
A laser-focused Osaka held serve throughout and fired nine aces in a surgical takedown to kick off her return to Flushing Meadows following a maternity leave year off in 2023.
Miscues including six double faults and 21 unforced errors plagued an uneven performance by the hard-hitting Latvian.
A back-and-forth first set turned in Osaka’s favor as Ostapenko hit a cross-court backhand into the net in the eighth game, earning the four-time major winner the first of her three service breaks.
The former world No. 1 gave a friendly New York crowd a glimpse of her past dominance in the second set as Osaka blasted three straight aces to claim the fourth game.
Ostapenko fought off two match points before Osaka slammed the door with a blistering cross-court forehand winner, setting up a second-round bout with Karolina Muchova.
NY I love you but you already knew that ☺️🎀 pic.twitter.com/rXFJkD1oml
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) August 27, 2024
An emotional Osaka said the adoring New York crowd fueled her from the moment she stepped out on the court in her playful outfit.
“I was trying not to cry when I was walking out,” she said.
“I remember last year I was watching Coco play and I so badly wanted to step on these courts again and I didn’t know if I could.”
Her emotional return to the tournament she won in 2018 and 2020 was nearly derailed by an uncooperative one-year-old.
“Last night, my daughter didn’t want to go to sleep on her bed time so I had to hold her for quite a while. I was like, oh wow, she really picked the perfect day not to go to sleep.” – Rappler.com