Naomi Osaka's on-court entrances at Wimbledon have become almost as anticipated as her first serve, with the four-time grand slam champion continuing to blend Japanese tradition with modern street style. On Wednesday, she arrived for her second-round match against Anastasia Gasanova wearing a traditional Obi sash, a flowing train, and a Nike bomber jacket embroidered with flowers, drawing photographers and fans during her five-minute walk to Court 2.
Osaka defeated Russian qualifier Gasanova 6-3, 6-2 in just over an hour, advancing to the third round for the fourth time. The victory came two days after she turned heads in a sculptural kimono-inspired creation embroidered with cranes and cherry blossom for her opening match, which paid tribute to traditional Japanese attire and a kanzashi hair ornament.
Fashion as a Tool to Overcome Nerves
Osaka, who has been open about her shy personality, explained that her fashion choices help her manage the nerves of stepping onto court. "I do feel a little bit of nerves. I want to make myself so used to that feeling that it doesn't bother me any more. And fashion helps," she said. She recalled her jellyfish-inspired outfit at the Australian Open earlier this year as a bold experiment, noting that her Wimbledon looks have been "a little bit tamer" in comparison.
Regarding her second-round ensemble, Osaka said: "It is an Obi, which is part of a traditional Japanese kimono. I wore it with my Nike bomber jacket which I thought was a really cool contrast. I wasn't able to wear that the first day so I'm just trying to mix it up a little bit."
Wimbledon Traditions Inspire Cultural Tribute
Osaka, who was born in Japan to a Japanese mother and Haitian father, said Wimbledon's customs prompted her to celebrate her heritage. "When I think about Wimbledon, it's obviously the all white [dress regulations]. It's the oldest slam. There's the tradition of it all. In my head, when I think about that, I think about my cultures, which is Japanese and Haitian," she said after her first-round win.
She also credited Tokyo's Harajuku district for inspiring her fashion experimentation. "I grew up in Florida... then I took a trip to Japan one day. You go to Harajuku and you see everyone expressing themselves through clothes. It was just so cool and colourful. That stuck out to me a lot. I use that in my fashion experimentation."
Criticism and Encouragement from Peers
Despite some criticism from fans and opponents who question whether the walk-ons are a distraction, Osaka is encouraged to see more players embracing their own style. She described Taylor Fritz's Hugo Boss suit from his opening match as "pretty cool." Osaka insists there is no grand plan behind her fashion choices: "I don't really ever have a plan when it comes to clothes. I think it's OK to try something and fail, but I'd rather just try it and see how it goes."
On-Court Performance and Personal Milestones
Osaka's willingness to experiment has not distracted from her tennis. Against Gasanova, she looked increasingly comfortable on grass, striking cleanly from the baseline and dictating points with the authority that once made her the world No 1. The straight-set victory set up a third-round match against Australia's Daria Kasatkina.
Off the court, Osaka has another reason to celebrate: "Tomorrow is my daughter's birthday and I just wanted to be here for longer. I didn't want to make her get on a plane on her birthday... Obviously I have to practise in the morning, but maybe after we'll go around the park. She loves making friends."
