Naomi Osaka US Open outfits, explained: Why tennis player is wearing Harajuku-inspired Nike looks for 2024 tournament

Naomi Osaka is back at the US Open after the birth of her daughter, Shai, caused her absence from the tournament in 2023. The Japanese player returned to tennis at the 2024 Brisbane International and has had minimal success since, currently ranked 88th in the WTA standings .

Nevertheless, she didn't fail to impress in her first-round appearance in the US Open on Tuesday, both winning the match and wowing spectators with her awe-inspiring outfit.

Taking the court in a stunning green and white number, Osaka revealed the first of two looks she has planned for this year's tournament. The getup's intricate nature did not inhibit the former No. 1 from upsetting her opponent, and she sealed her spot in the second round with fashion and flair.

Here's everything to know about Osaka's US Open outfits, including why the tennis player is wearing custom Harajuku-inspired Nike looks for the 2024 tournament.

MORE: Live tennis scores, full draw, bracket at Flushing Meadows

Naomi Osaka US Open outfits, explained

The four-time grand slam winner entered Louis Armstrong Stadium dressed in a white jacket, complete with a giant green bow on the back, paired with a tennis skirt of the same green shade draped over a white tutu. Before warmups, Osaka removed the tutu to reveal the bottom of her green tennis dress featuring a ruffled skirt.

Osaka also sported a green visor and white Nike shoes, complete with small green bows on the heels. Even her white headphones had green bows on them, a nod to the thought put into the details.

She removed her jacket toward the match's start time, showing the rest of the dress featuring a white bow tied at her back around her midriff. Designer Yoon Ahn, who co-founded Tokyo label Ambush, collaborated with Nike on Osaka's US Open outfits. And apparently, no other Nike athlete received custom clothing for this year's tournament.

In an article by the New York Times, the tennis player said she told Ahn she was interested in "Japanese subculture references" when it came to her fits. Osaka mentioned her inspiration was "Harajuku," a nod to the culture named for the Tokyo district known for its frills and bows.

Osaka said she has "started to take more risks" when it comes to her on-court style since she started playing. Her green daytime look comes paired with a black nighttime look — a color she says represents "strength" whereas green gives her "peace and serenity." For Osaka, the outfit is more than just the fabric on her skin.

"In terms of confidence level, when I wear what I feel is a good outfit, I definitely feel more comfortable," she told the New York Times. "I think that’s a magical thing that fashion can do. I think that when I put on my U.S. Open outfit, I’m going to feel a transformation."

Naomi Osaka Round 1 results

Osaka took on 10-seeded Jelena Ostapenko in the first round of this year's tournament, beating the Latvian in a clean one-hour, two-set route in Queens. The victory was Osaka's first top-10 win in four years and first victory at the US Open since becoming a mother—an emotional achievement that had her crying after the match.

Here's a look at the final box score from the Tuesday early afternoon matchup.

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Naomi Osaka US Open history

The Japanese-born tennis player has won the American slam twice in her decade-long career, with 2024 marking the ninth time in 10 years she's competed in the tournament. Osaka emerged victorious in 2018 and 2020, notably defeating Serena Williams in her first US Open championship win.

Other than those two years, she hasn't fared particularly well at Flushing Meadows. Osaka has only moved past the fourth round twice, and both times she won the entire thing.

Here's a look at her history at the US Open so far.