Naomi Osaka, the former World No. 1 tennis star, couldn’t help but marvel at an incredible tribute by one of her ardent fans. This homage was a replication of Osaka’s unforgettable look from her 2024 US Open second-round match against Karolina Muchova.
On that day, Osaka, the champion of four major tournaments, appeared on the court at Flushing Meadows, donning a striking black bow ruffled Nike outfit. Osaka, who moved to the US at an early age, often incorporates elements of her Japanese heritage into her sartorial choices. She once revealed to the New York Times that seeing the abundance of frills and bows during her first visit to Japan inspired this iconic outfit.
As a fashion icon, Osaka’s choice of attire rarely disappoints, leading to a dedicated fan following attempting to emulate her style. One such fan, Viola Su, recreated Osaka’s memorable outfit from her 2024 US Open campaign and shared it on Instagram. The fan perfectly mimicked Osaka’s style by wearing a similar black bow dress and posing with a tennis racket.
Osaka was quick to spot this commendable effort and shared Su’s post on her Instagram story, expressing her awe with the comment, “Oh this is insane”. The captivating outfit was designed by Yoon Ahn from Ambush in collaboration with Nike.
Osaka’s reputation for experimental on-court attire is well known. In January 2024, Nike, her longtime sponsor, gave her the opportunity to design her own custom outfit. The results were unveiled at the Australian Open with a post from Nike, featuring Osaka in a black sleeveless dress and the caption “Yesterday I found, new purpose in tomorrow. Today, I’m Stronger.”
Despite her sartorial success, Osaka’s performance at the Australian Open was hampered by an abdominal injury, forcing her to withdraw. However, the setback hasn’t deterred Osaka. She recently confirmed her return to the court during an Instagram Q&A, revealing her participation at the 2025 BNP Paribas Open.
Although her past performances at the Indian Wells have not been successful, with early exits in the 2022 and 2023 editions, Osaka appears determined this time. During a recent CNN interview on February 22, she shared her lofty ambitions for 2025, including winning Wimbledon, Roland Garros (the French Open), and achieving a career grand slam.
As a four-time Major winner, Osaka’s quest to add a fifth title to her achievements will be closely watched this season. Whether she will accomplish this goal remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: her fans, and the world, will be watching every swing, every match, and of course, every outfit.