Naomi Osaka commanded attention with her fashion choices at the French Open this week.
She arrived on Court Suzanne-Lenglen in a ceremonial black skirt and a sleeveless beaded bodice, which she then removed to reveal a sequined gold playing dress for her opening match.
Osaka said she uses fashion to “talk through my clothes” as she is not a very talkative person.
“I am a little dramatic when it comes to my fashion sense,” she said.
Osaka beat Germany’s Laura Siegemund 6-3 7-6 (7-3) to reach the second round.
Following the match, she joked that she had worried that she would be asked to change.
open image in gallery“When I first saw it, I felt like I look like the Eiffel Tower at night time when it’s bright,” she said.
“Then I actually got a little worried because when the sun hits the dress, it reflects a lot, so I was a little scared the umpire was going to kick me off the court.
“I got two back-up, normal dresses. Thankfully I didn’t have to wear them.”
The outer pieces were designed by Kevin Germanier, while the gold dress was by Nike.
Earlier this year at the Australian Open, Osaka walked on wearing a wide-brim hat and a veil and holding a white parasol.
open image in galleryThe four-time Grand Slam champion also recently wore a show-stopping outfit at the Met Gala in New York.
Earlier on Court Philippe-Chatrier, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka wore two necklaces with diamonds for her opening win.
Watching Osaka’s entrance on TNT Sports, Sabalenka said that she loved the outfit.
”This is sparkling. I love it. I love that she is expressing herself and feels confident,” Sabalenka said.
“That’s the beauty of the fashion world, there’s space for anything and I love that she’s bringing it on court.”