Naomi Osaka knows very well how to make a triumphant entrance on the tennis courts. Some time ago, the Japanese athlete decided that she would not wear the typical uniforms on the courts to play matches, but would follow the path of another great name in this sport, Serena Williams, and experiment with her looks.
Read more Much more than a contest: the Rosco puts millions of euros at stake on television
Since then, to play matches she has dared with tutus, coquette bows, transparencies, or headpieces that resembled a jellyfish. But what she had not done until now is to wear an outfit literally full of sparkles, specifically, sequins.
The Japanese surprised once again this Tuesday during her participation in the emblematic Roland Garros, a tournament that will be held until June 7 in Paris. In fact, the tennis player turned the Suzanne-Lenglen court into her own Haute Couture runway with a look that did not go unnoticed and quickly generated several criticisms from the participants.
Osaka arrived at the venue with an outfit by Swiss designer Kevin Germanier that consisted of a sleeveless top covered with beads and a pleated skirt with transparencies. But the shocking moment came when she took off these garments and revealed a mini dress full of golden sequins.
Created by Nike, the design was brown, with a fitted sleeveless top, halter neck, and the Nike logo in the center, and a skirt with ruffles that added movement. A look in the pure 2000s style that stood out for its paillettes applications both on the abdomen area and the skirt, which literally made the tennis player shine.
Read more Prison sentences for the perpetrators of the Spanish teenagers’ volunteering scam in Ghana in 2018
“Athletes are part of the entertainment world. The entrances to the court in the Grand Slams are the only time when I maybe feel like I am an artist,” she said after playing the match in which she defeated the German Laura Siegemund 6-3 and 7-6 (3).
She also confirmed that the Nike mini dress is inspired by the Eiffel Tower illuminated at night. “Actually, I was a bit worried because when the sun hits the dress, it reflects a lot. So I was a bit afraid that the chair umpire would kick me off the court,” Osaka said, adding that she was carrying a couple of regular Nike dresses in case she was not allowed to play with the chosen look.
However, this original proposal was not liked by many of her peers, who even criticized this staging. “I am here to play tennis, not to do a fashion show,” said one of the professionals.
