Naomi Osaka unveiled another striking outfit ahead of her fourth-round match at the French Open, a night session clash against world number one Aryna Sabalenka on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The four-time grand slam champion wore a sparkling gold sequined dress with a flowing gold train, which she removed before play began.
The Japanese star’s outfits have been a highlight of this year’s tournament, inspired by the Eiffel Tower. For her first-round match she wore a black skirt and gold dress; in the second round she added a gold bomber jacket and an ivory train. Osaka hinted she had a special look prepared for a night match, which came to fruition as her encounter with Sabalenka became the first women’s singles night session in three years.
Osaka explained that her custom Nike kits are designed up to 18 months in advance, requiring multiple fittings. “There’s a lot of effort that goes into it,” she said. The 28-year-old, an introvert, said she uses fashion to express herself and feel like an entertainer during walk-ons.
However, not everyone approves. After losing to Osaka in the first round, Laura Siegemund criticised the time taken for outfit changes, claiming Osaka received special treatment. “I come here to play tennis, not to put on a fashion show,” Siegemund told TNT Sports. “Every second is being watched closely for us – bigger names are treated differently.”
Osaka’s match against Sabalenka marked a significant shift in scheduling, as the French Open had previously featured 33 consecutive men’s singles matches in the prime-time slot since its 2021 introduction.
