"I've lived in the era when Serena Williams taking her jacket off was the reveal" - Naomi Osaka on excitement of donning "beautiful" US Open outfit
Naomi Osaka has laid bare her excitement about sporting her custom US Open outfit, citing Serena Williams' inspiration. The Japanese spoke of how she grew up witnessing the 23-time singles Major champion creating significant hype around her outfits at tennis' most high-profile events. Osaka also suggested she is looking forward to doing something similar at this year's US Open.
The former World No. 1 is preparing for her ninth campaign at the prestigious hardcourt Major, having won it twice - in 2018 and 2020. The ongoing season has been something of a mixed bag for Osaka.
For large parts of it, she has looked understandably rusty after returning to action at the start of the year following her maternity leave. However, Osaka has also produced some moments of magic, seemingly rolling back the years, but hasn't been consistent.
Recently, Nike, Osaka's apparel sponsor, collaborated with Tokyo-based designer Yoon Ahn to create a custom look for the Japanese. It is rooted in 'Lolita', a Japanese-born, Victorian-inspired style that resonated with Osaka, as revealed by Ahn to The New York Times. The style relies heavily on bows and frills, and the four-time Major winner is all set to sport it when she steps out for her first-round match at the 2024 US Open.
Osaka too, spoke about her custom look with The New York Times, and how she has started to take greater risks with her on-court fashion choices.
"I’ve definitely started to take more risks. I’ve always told everyone this: I don’t mind feeling uncomfortable just as long as it’s stylish," Osaka said.
The former World No. 1 dismissed the suggestion that her 2024 US Open outfit is among the 'bigger risks' she has taken. Osaka talked about how she witnessed Serena Williams often do a full reveal of her playing outfit by simply "taking her jacket off". According to the Japanese, she finds the prospect of doing something similar, exciting.
"I don’t think there’s anything risky about this. I think it’s a beautiful garment. I’ve lived in the era when Serena taking her jacket off was the reveal. So to maybe give someone else that experience, for me, is exciting," Osaka added.
The former World No. 1's first match on her return to the US Open though, is set to be a daunting challenge.
Naomi Osaka slated to lock horns against No. 10 seed Jelena Ostapenko in US Open 2024 1R
Osaka is likely to make waves with her custom Nike outfit at Flushing Meadows this year. However, the Japanese also needs to make waves with her tennis if she is to progress to the second round. The Japanese, unseeded at the hardcourt Major, has been drawn against Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, the No. 10 seed, in the first round.
The pair have clashed only once previously on the WTA Tour. That particular meeting came in the first round of the 2016 French Open, which Osaka won 6-4, 7-5.
This time around though, Ostapenko looks the favorite on paper. The Latvian, who won the 2017 French Open, is enjoying a resurgent season. The former World No. 5 broke back into the top 10 earlier this year and reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Osaka has failed to get past the second round at all of the Majors she has featured in since her comeback.