Naomi Osaka Stuns the Australian Open Crowd With Bold Custom Outfit: 'Let’s Bring Theatre Back to Tennis'
- - Naomi Osaka Stuns the Australian Open Crowd With Bold Custom Outfit: 'Let’s Bring Theatre Back to Tennis'
Meredith GordonJanuary 21, 2026 at 3:07 AM
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Photo by Susan Mullane/ISI Photos on Getty Images
Naomi Osaka is determined to turn the 2026 Australian Open into her own personal runway. The 28-year-old tennis ace dazzled Australian Open fans Tuesday with a jellyfish-inspired entrance look inspired by an image from a children’s book she read to her daughter. Fans are calling Osaka’s fashion statement a standout moment of the famed tournament’s fashion scene.
The two-time Australian Open champion entered Rod Laver Arena wearing a dramatic jellyfish-inspired look she designed in collaboration with Nike and London couturier Robert Wun. The ensemble featured a wide-brimmed hat, veil, white parasol, and a turquoise-and-green outfit with flowing layers and butterfly details, subtle references to memorable moments from her past Australian Open appearances.
Once inside the stadium, Osaka removed the outer layers of the look to reveal her tennis attire. The bold fashion moment seemed to bring good luck—she won her first-round match and advanced to round two.
Fans were all in on Osaka’s bold look. On a video of her entrance shared to social media, one commenter wrote, “Tennis has been so boring since the greats retired. Glad some players still bring the energy this sport has been lacking the past five years.”
Another added, “She truly is the Lewis Hamilton of tennis.”
“Yes, let’s bring theatre back to tennis!” suggested another. “She’s blockbuster.”
Naomi Osaka’s Career and Current Standing
At 28 years old, Naomi Osaka remains one of the most recognizable figures in tennis. A four-time Grand Slam singles champion, including Australian Open titles in 2019 and 2021 and two U.S. Open victories, Osaka has long been admired for both her powerful playing style and her presence on the court. Once ranked world No. 1, she continues to draw attention from fans and media alike, not only for her performance but for her thoughtful and expressive fashion choices, which often reflect personal milestones and her Japanese heritage.
A Longstanding Relationship Between Tennis and Fashion
Long before her headline-making Australian Open entrance, Naomi Osaka had already built a reputation as a fashion risk-taker. She frequently experiments with bold silhouettes, vibrant colors, and high-profile collaborations with major brands like Nike. Blending athletic performance with couture flair, Osaka uses fashion as a form of self-expression and creativity. Like Serena Williams and Venus Williams before her, she treats major tournaments as creative stages, using her looks to mark different chapters of her life and career.
Osaka’s mental toughness, elite playing style, and outspoken commitment to social justice and mental health have made her a cultural icon far beyond the tennis court. Her jellyfish-inspired look at the 2026 Australian Open further cements her status as one of the world’s most stylish athletes—and her tennis game is looking pretty strong, too.
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This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
