Naomi Osaka captivated the Australian Open on day three with a spectacular fashion statement and a resilient competitive performance. The four-time Grand Slam champion unveiled a custom-designed, jellyfish-inspired ensemble that immediately became the tournament’s talking point.
The 28-year-old Japanese star dedicated her ocean blue tie-dye tracksuit jacket and white wide-leg bottoms—both adorned with intricate ruffles—to her two-year-old daughter Shai. “Nike let me design this one,” Osaka revealed. “I’m so grateful I get to be able to do the things that I love. It’s really beautiful.”
London-based stylist Robert Wun, known for dressing global music icons including Beyoncé and Ariana Grande, brought Osaka’s vision to life. The outfit featured symbolic white butterflies on her wide-brimmed hat and umbrella—a poignant reference to the insect that landed on her nose during her triumphant 2021 Australian Open campaign.
Beyond the fashion spectacle, Osaka demonstrated her competitive mettle against Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic, ranked 65th worldwide. In a hard-fought battle celebrating Ruzic’s 23rd birthday, Osaka prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 after recovering from a 3-4 deficit in the deciding set.
Tennis correspondent Russell Fuller described the moment as “the most spectacular and breathtaking entrance to a Grand Slam first round that I have ever seen.” Former world number six Chanda Rubin noted: “You feel like even if she had lost she would’ve owned it [the outfit]. But it felt like the statement wouldn’t have been complete had she not won.”
The victory sets up a second-round encounter with unseeded Romanian Sorana Cirstea, who advanced with a three-set victory over Germany’s Eva Lys. Osaka’s performance continues her remarkable comeback trajectory since returning to professional tennis.