Wimbledon fans have pointed out what they describe as a 'double standard' after Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka both made fashion statements on day one of the 2026 tournament, but received markedly different reactions on social media.
Djokovic's Bespoke Lacoste Blazer
Novak Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, stepped onto Centre Court in a full white suit complemented by a custom-made Lacoste blazer. The jacket featured his initials and his sponsor's name on the breast pocket, along with an internal slogan that translates to: 'A hero is not the one who beats, but the one who endures injustice and forgives.' The 39-year-old Serbian defeated China's Wu Yibing in four sets to begin his 21st campaign at SW19.
Speaking to Serbian journalists after the match, Djokovic explained the inspiration behind his outfit: 'I was thinking about what message would inspire me. There are a lot of them. I wanted something about Serbian history and culture because it means a lot to me. On the other hand, I wanted to have a connection to the place where we are currently and with my history here. There you go – you'll draw your own conclusions.'
Osaka's Traditional Kimono
Earlier in the day, Naomi Osaka, 28, appeared on Court 3 in a full-length traditional kimono, entirely white to comply with Wimbledon's strict dress code. The Japanese star defeated Elsa Jacquemot 6-1, 7-5. Osaka said of her choice: 'For me, my Japanese heritage means a lot. They say all white at Wimbledon and I thought it would be really cool to come out in a kimono. I just get inspired by a lot of different things, and for me, one of my favourite movies is Kill Bill. So I really love Lucy Liu's character, O-Ren Ishii, and she comes out in this really iconic white kimono. I always tell people I like to be like a video game character sometimes, I don't want to be myself when I'm playing on the court. And I kind of try to embody her a little.'
Social Media Reactions and Accusations of Double Standards
While Djokovic's attire earned widespread praise, including from the French Open's official X account, Osaka's outfit attracted criticism from some tennis fans. One Djokovic supporter wrote: 'Doesn't he look so elegant?' Another added: 'Pure class.' A third declared: 'Man, he's cool.' However, responding to the French Open's tweet praising Djokovic, one X user hit out: 'But when it's Naomi Osaka it's a problem?' Another slammed: 'I know. The double standards.' A third agreed: 'Everyone lost their minds when Naomi stepped out and they're all quiet now.' A fourth wrote: 'Everyone is mute now, when it's Naomi it was an uproar. Jealous losers.'
The contrasting reactions highlight a perceived inconsistency among tennis fans, with some accusing the community of applying different standards to male and female players. Both athletes adhered to Wimbledon's all-white dress code, but Osaka's traditional kimono drew criticism while Djokovic's custom blazer was celebrated.
