Naomi Osaka made a powerful return to the U.S. Open on Aug. 27, dazzling tennis fans and fashionistas alike.
Osaka, 26, wore a custom white-and-green Nike outfit — complete with ruffles and a giant green bow — designed by Yoon Ahn for her first-round match against 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko.
Sporting a white Nike jacket that she shed to reveal a green ruffled dress toward the end of the match, Osaka had previously shared the meaning behind the look.
“The inspiration that fueled the look for me — and this might be a Japanese term — is feeling like a ‘magical girl’ on the court,” Osaka said in a statement to Nike. “There’s a moment of transformation for me when I walk onto the court, and I have a lot of fun playing, so wanting everyone who sees the outfit to connect with that feeling is a really big motivation for me.”
Ahn said she wanted to embody the idea of living in a girl's world in Osaka's look.
“For Naomi’s look, she brought forward a vision and it was my job as a designer to create something that she’ll feel confident and comfortable in when she walks onto the court, allowing her to bring 100% of herself,” Ahn said.
Anh's design didn't end there -- she also made sure the look could go from day-to-night by creating a custom, corresponding black-and-white look for Osaka as well, featuring many more ruffles and bows.
To no surprise, Osaka's neon-green look quickly turned heads at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, from the green bow detailing on her white shoes to the giant green bow on the back of her jacket and green visor. Once she peeled off the top layer, she sported a green dress with ruffles — plus a white bow.
The look also caused a buzz on social media, with Instagram users sharing their excitement about Osaka's colorful return to the U.S. Open in the comments of her post on Aug. 27.
- This is pure 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 and so was your match today!!! Let’s GO!!!!!!
- Outfit is giving brat summer 😍😍😍 3600000
- D--- son! Someone came out playing no f------ games today!! 😳🔥🔥🔥👏🏼
- This look is soooo cute 😍
- You killed it girl ! Love the outfit ! ❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰🥰🇭🇹🇭🇹
Osaka had previously teased her U.S. Open look was “about to be the best outfit I’ve ever worn and I’m so excited.”
Highsnobiety, a fashion and media brand, said Osaka's outfit "might be the best ever," leading Osaka to reply: "I didn't say it they did," adding a laughing emoji.
Osaka defeated her Ostapenko 6-3, 6-2, marking her first win against a top 10 opponent in four years. She became emotional after winning the match, appearing to wipe away tears in her eyes with a towel.
Osaka had stepped away from tennis in 2021 for her mental health, and again as she welcomed her daughter Shai in 2023.
Osaka is scheduled to play next in the second round on Aug. 29 against Karolína Muchová.
