Naomi Osaka's quest to win the French Open began with a straight-sets first-round victory on Tuesday, but her performance was not the main talking point. Instead, attention focused on her custom-made Nike outfit, which drew comparisons to the Eiffel Tower.
Osaka defeated Germany's Laura Siegemund 6-3, 7-6 on Court Suzanne Lenglen to set up a second-round showdown with Croatia's Donna Vekic on Thursday. However, it was her sequined and glittery gold ensemble, including a ceremonial black skirt and sleeveless beaded bodice, that captured the spotlight. Osaka wore the outer garments while walking onto the court before removing them to play.
While Siegemund had no issue with the outfit or the result, she expressed frustration at the time Osaka was allowed to change. 'I couldn't care less,' Siegemund told TNT Sports. 'I come here to play tennis, not to put on a fashion show. And if others want to put on a fashion show, then they should go ahead and do it. That's totally fine with me.'
Siegemund highlighted a perceived double standard: 'In our sport, at every tournament they count every second, right up until you've unpacked your water bottle. But she can have a minute-and-a-half to change. I have a problem with that, because these rules simply exist and they are what they are - every second is now being watched so closely for us.'
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, defended her outfit choice, saying: 'It's very couture. You know the Eiffel Tower at night when it's sparkly. I kind of think I look like that a little bit.' She added that the only concern was the dress reflecting sunlight: 'I got two back-up, normal dresses - thankfully I didn't have to wear them.'
The 28-year-old Japanese star acknowledged the entertainer aspect of tennis: 'I feel like for me, grand slam walk-ons are the only time that I possibly feel like I'm an entertainer.'
