Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka reveals how her flamboyant outfits make her a better tennis player

Naomi Osaka dispatched the No. 10 seed at the US Open in straight sets but it was her remarkable ‘super suit’ that captured everyone’s attention.

Naomi Osaka is through to the second round of the US Open but it wasn’t her straight set defeat of the French Open champion that captured everyone’s attention – it was her flamboyant outfit.

The 26-year-old, playing at her first US Open in two years, has been vocal about her previous mental health battles and issues with confidence this season.

Her hard to miss green dress, ruffles, shiny bow, tutu and headphones were inspired by Japanese culture.

But Osaka said post her 6-3, 6-2, defeat of No. 10 seed Jelena Ostapenko, dressing up was about more than capturing the fans’ attention.

“When I was putting on my outfit today I was like I hope this isn’t too much, because I had the tutu, then I had the bow jacket and it was green and I felt like everyone was staring at me funny,” she said.

Japan's Naomi Osaka says her outfit feels like a super suit on court. Picture: TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP

“I put the headphones on and that was the real killer. I was like you know what embrace this maximilist style.

“Then it made me feel better. I think for me when I put on the outfit it’s almost like a super suit, so I try to channel that.”

The outfit is part of her Ambush collection, designed by Yoon Ahn.

Osaka, the 2018 and 2020 US Open winner, also has a stunning black version of the dress for nigh matches.

She said she picked the colour green out almost a year ago.

“But I feel like being able to be a part of my tennis outfits gives me, I would say, a different strength. Especially the US Open outfits, I feel like they are a little bit more flamboyant,” Osaka said.

Osaka’s outfit donned a deeper meaning than capturing attention from fans. Picture: Mike Stobe/Getty Images/AFP

Osaka defeated the French Open champion in straight sets. Picture: TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP

The Japanese athlete will next play Karolina Muchova in Round 2 on Friday.

Despite mixed results heading into the tournament Osaka said she was confident.

“I’m really glad that I played all the tournaments this year, even though the results haven’t been that great, I feel like I could draw from each of those matches,” she said.

“Over time, I know even though I lost in the (qualifiers) of (Cincinnati), I kind of gained confidence in myself in a weird way, because for me, that was, like, the worst possible outcome of my career.

“Granted, I could have lost in the round before that. But yeah, I just, I don’t know, it’s been so much hard work, so much, like, dreams and wishes, and I hope that I can continue. As of right now, I am really happy with how I played.”

Originally published as Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka reveals how her flamboyant outfits make her a better tennis player