One of the most jaw-dropping moments of the Australian Open so far was Naomi Osaka unveiling her jellyfish-inspired outfit–a reveal that came as a complete surprise to everyone watching both inside the stadium and around the world on television.
The former World No.1 partnered with renowned fashion designer Robert Wun to create a new “exoskeletal look” concept, which has quickly become one of the biggest talking points of the tournament’s first week.
Sabalenka and Alcaraz React to Osaka’s Fashion Statement
The outfit was so impactful that even the current World No.1s on both tours could not escape questions surrounding it, and each shared their opinion on the unique look.
Asked about it in her post-match press conference, Aryna Sabalenka agreed that expressing yourself through fashion is one of the most beautiful things, adding that she would like to explore something similar in the future, not necessarily in style, but in expression.
“Fashion is a beautiful world where you can express yourself fully, and there is no judgment. You know, this is how she sees it, and this is perfect for her, for her culture, just for her personality.”
ATP World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz echoed a similar sentiment, saying:
“For me, it’s a great way to express what you feel, without worrying about what others think or say. If you feel something or want to express what you like, go for it. We’ve also seen Naomi do the walk-on in different ways on other occasions. If that’s how she feels, then it’s great.”
The Spaniard also admitted that while he is probably too shy to pull off something similar, he does use sneakers as a way to express himself, often choosing different pairs depending on his mood and vibe.
Osaka will return to court for her second-round match on Thursday, where she will look to book her place in yet another Australian Open third round–and no doubt continue expressing herself while stunning audiences around the world.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
