Melbourne ¨C Naomi Osaka says she is ¡°a little strange¡± but doesn¡¯t care after an audacious jellyfish-inspired fashion statement at the Australian Open went viral.
The Japanese superstar emerged onto the Rod Laver Arena court for her first-round clash on Tuesday carrying a white parasol with matching wide-brimmed hat and long gauzy veil.
It was complemented by a sleeveless turquoise dress over pleated white trousers.
¡°Honestly, I realize I¡¯m a little strange because I don¡¯t really think I care,¡± the four-time Grand Slam winner said in response to her outfit.
¡°For me, I just feel like I want to do things that create joy and happiness.
¡°For me, obviously I really love fashion. That makes me excited to wake up and do the whole, like, walk-on or whatever. It just creates a little bit more joy in that whole match preparation.¡±
Almost at the same time Osaka walked on court, Vogue magazine ran an interview with her where she explained what it called her ¡°exoskeletal look.¡±
Before Osaka, the legendary Serena Williams famously combined tennis with fashion, with her sister Venus and Russian Maria Sharapova also well known for making statements with their on-court attire.
¡°I grew up with the GOATs of style ¡ª Serena, Venus, Sharapova,¡± she said, using an acronym for greatest of all time.
¡°I think it all comes down to personality, too. I don¡¯t expect someone that¡¯s really reserved to freaking put a veil on their head and go out and play their match.
¡°But I think people, I don¡¯t know, you see bits of personality.¡±
Osaka, who grew up primarily in the United States, attributed her interest in fashion to when she visited Japan as a 13-year-old and ¡°it felt like people could be themselves with their clothes.¡±
While bold when it comes to her clothes, the 28-year-old is the first to admit she is shy off court.
¡°I feel like when I step on the court, I¡¯m not the me that you¡¯re talking to right now,¡± she told reporters.
¡°I almost feel like I¡¯m a Barbie that dresses up and goes on the court and does something.
¡°When I come back in the locker room is when I¡¯m like my true quiet Naomi.¡±
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.