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Osaka dazzles with dual-layered French Open outfit
Naomi Osaka made a bold fashion statement at Roland Garros on Tuesday, unveiling a shimmering gold tennis dress beneath a dramatic black ensemble during her first-round match.
The reveal
The four-time Grand Slam champion walked onto Court Suzanne Lenglen wearing a black corset and a flowing pleated skirt that draped across the red clay. Moments later, she shed the outer layer to reveal a sequined gold dress that glittered under the Paris sun.
Osaka described the look as reminiscent of "the Eiffel Tower at night when it's sparkly," adding she briefly worried the reflective fabric might draw objections from officials. She carried backup outfits, though they proved unnecessary.
Match performance
Osaka's on-court brilliance matched her sartorial flair as she defeated Germany's Laura Siegemund 6-3 7-7 (7-3) to advance to the second round. She will next face Croatia's Donna Vekić.
Since returning from maternity leave in 2023, the 28-year-old has climbed back into the world's top 20 and reached the US Open semifinals last September.
Design and inspiration
The black outer pieces were crafted by sustainable designer Kevin Germanier, while Nike created the custom gold dress. Osaka called Grand Slam walk-ons the rare moments she feels like an entertainer, embracing the intersection of sport and fashion.
"For me, Grand Slam walk-ons are the only time that I possibly feel like I'm an entertainer."
Naomi Osaka
Reactions from peers
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka praised Osaka's confidence, telling TNT Sports: "This is sparkling. I love it. I love that she is expressing herself."
Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft noted that few players could pull off such bold outfits while delivering strong performances. "Naomi can handle it," Croft said on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra. "She really loves it and she's not fazed by it."
Fashion legacy at the majors
Osaka joins a tradition of tennis stars using Grand Slam stages to push fashion boundaries. Past examples include Serena Williams' 2004 US Open denim ensemble, Maria Sharapova's 2008 Wimbledon tuxedo-style top, and Venus Williams' 2010 French Open lace corset dress.
At this year's Australian Open, Osaka debuted a jellyfish-inspired outfit dedicated to her daughter, Shai, continuing her streak of memorable tournament entrances.
