After initially appearing in an all-black ensemble, Osaka revealed a shimmering gold tennis dress underneath.
Another Grand Slam, another iconic outfit delivered by Naomi Osaka.
The Japanese player continued her tradition of striking looks at major tournaments with an outfit that sparkled, reminiscent of “the Eiffel Tower at night,” at the French Open.
Osaka arrived on Court Suzanne Lenglen in a black corset and a cascading pleated skirt that made a dramatic statement against the red clay.
Beneath the sophisticated ensemble, Osaka sported a glittering gold tennis dress, with sequins reflecting the intense Paris sun.
The four-time Grand Slam champion also performed impressively on the court, defeating Germany’s Laura Siegemund 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) to advance to the second round.
When asked about the inspiration for the outfit, the 26-year-old remarked, “Funny enough, you know the Eiffel Tower at night when it’s sparkly? I think I look like that a little bit.”
Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed, observed Osaka’s entrance live on TNT Sports, saying, “This is sparkling. I love it. I love that she is expressing herself and feels confident.”
“That’s the beauty of the fashion world, there’s space for anything, and I love that she’s bringing it on court.”
Osaka made a statement as she walked onto court with a Kevin Germanier-designed outfit.
Osaka later joked about her concerns that she might not be allowed to play in the dress.
“When I first saw it, I felt like I look like the Eiffel Tower at night time when it’s bright,” she said.
“Then I actually got a little worried because when the sun hits the dress, it reflects a lot, so I was a little scared the umpire was going to kick me off the court.
“I got two back-up, normal dresses – thankfully I didn’t have to wear them.”
Gold sequins shimmered in the Paris sun as Osaka faced Laura Siegemund in the first round.
The outer black pieces were designed by Kevin Germanier, known for his sustainable fashion approach, while Nike custom-made the gold dress.
“Sometimes people say athletes are in show business or entertainers or whatever,” Osaka said.
“For me, Grand Slam walk-ons are the only time that I possibly feel like I’m an entertainer.”
At the Australian Open in January, Osaka made a memorable entrance in a jellyfish-inspired outfit, which she dedicated to her two-year-old daughter, Shai.
Former British number one Annabel Croft noted that many players “would not be able to live up to the expectation” of walking out in custom-made outfits like Osaka’s.
“If you’re out there in an extraordinary outfit, you’ve got to live up to that and have the confidence to play in it and give the crowd the tennis as well as the outfit,” she said on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.
“Naomi can handle it. She really loves it, and she’s not fazed by it.”
Since the birth of her daughter in 2023, Osaka has re-established herself within the world’s top 20 and reached the semi-finals at the US Open in September.
The former world number one will face Croatia’s Donna Vekic in the next round.
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Serena Williams dressed in black head-to-toe at the 2004 US Open, including a black denim skirt, a studded tank top and custom leather-look tennis boots
Maria Sharapova put a twist on Wimbledon’s all-white dress code in 2008, wearing a tuxedo-style top and smart shorts combination
Venus Williams sported a black and red corset-style lace dress at the 2010 French Open
Serena Williams opted for a black catsuit at the 2018 French Open, which she said made her feel like a “superhero”
Naomi Osaka wore a lime green and white outfit decorated with bows, including a large one on her back, at the 2024 US Open
Osaka sported an ocean blue tie-dye tracksuit jacket with white wide-leg bottoms as part of a jellyfish-inspired outfit at the 2026 Australian Open
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