Naomi Osaka rocks ruffles and bows ahead of US Open win
Naomi Osaka showed up for day two of the US Open serving up a look that was quite cutesy.
The tennis star walked gracefully into Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, in New York City, wearing a custom Nike look designed by AMBUSH designer Yoon Ahn. Her hard-to-miss ensemble included a white and neon green detachable tutu with layered tulle and a cropped jacket with a giant green bow on the back.
She completed the look with a matching green visor and white Nike sneakers that were also decked out with tiny bows at the heels.
After warming up in the eye-catching look, Osaka removed some of the layers to reveal a neon green tennis dress that included stacked ruffles and frills, which she wore for the main event.
Osaka's elaborate courtside fashion statements were a nod to her Japanese background.
"I remember one of the first times I went to Japan, I saw so many frills and so many bows," Osaka told the New York Times." "I wouldn't automatically associate myself with being girlish when I'm on the court, but I tend to gravitate toward really beautiful and cute things. I think there's something quite cool in making that an emphasis."
She added, "[The color green] gives me peace and serenity. I think colors give you power."
Ahn, the designer behind the look, also shared excitement for Osaka's outfit on Instagram, writing in the caption of a post, "She SERVEDDDDD today at the #USOPEN in the outfit I made for her... that took 2 yrs in the making from our 1st mtg to today's game."
"#Lolita fashion (Japanese subculture context) offers an escape from adulthood, a return to the innocence and beauty of childhood," she continued. "It's a doorway to a fantasy world where you can craft an ideal identity that may not fit everyday norms but feels perfect in this imaginative space. 🎀🤍."
She added, "Designing is an exercise of listening and imagining the story the athlete wants to tell. And this one is for @naomiosaka's personal journey. Often, we see athletes as one-dimensional, tied to their sport, but I get to peel back those layers and explore the different facets of who they are and how they want to present themselves through style."
In addition to Osaka's captivating courtside style, the tennis star earned her first top-10 win in four years on Tuesday, beating former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-2 in the first round of the US Open, advancing to the second round.
