At the French Open, Naomi Osaka has once again created a stir by showing up for her match wearing a striking ensemble.
When the Japanese celebrity faced Iva Jovic in the third round on Saturday morning, she had to take off her voluminous clothing on the court.
It happens just days after her defeated first-round opponent Laura Siegemund called her “problematic” for showing up wearing an attire reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower.
Fans applauded the 28-year-old both when she wore her detachable frills on Saturday and when she took them off before the match started.
However, one audience member was clearly disappointed with X, calling the outfit “just so stupid.”
At Roland Garros, one of the world’s fashion capitals, Osaka has generated controversy and irritated Siegemund, her opponent on Tuesday.
Osaka, ranked 16th, donned a specially designed Nike suit that has been compared to the Eiffel Tower.
She wore the traditional black skirt and sleeveless beaded bodice with the sequined and sparkly gold attire as she walked out onto the court before removing the final two pieces.
The defeated Siegemund expressed some annoyance at the time Osaka was given to remove her outer garments in contrast to the amount of time players are permitted to engage in meaningful activities during games, even though she had no problem with the actual outfit design or the outcome. “I couldn’t care less,” she told TNT Sports.
“I’m not here to stage a fashion show; I’m here to play tennis.” And others are free to organize a fashion show if they so choose. I have no issues with that at all. Every second of every competition in our sport is counted, all the way up to the moment you unpack your water bottle. However, she has a minute and a half to make a change. I disagree with that since these regulations are just the way they are; we are now under constant observation, and I believe that every moment of performances like these ought to be recorded. That’s the single aspect of the regulations that I don’t think is acceptable and where, once more, more well-known people are given preferential treatment.
After the game, Osaka commented on her ensemble, saying, “It’s very couture.” You are familiar with the sparkling Eiffel Tower at night. I guess I somewhat resemble that. “I don’t really feel like it’s too much of a big deal to do that and then play [in terms of making a fashion statement and then playing tennis].” I could understand where folks could assume that I’m a little anxious or something. I believe that’s part of the problem. For example, sometimes people claim that athletes work as performers or in show business. Grand slam walk-ons, in my opinion, are the only occasions when I might feel like an entertainer.
“When I first saw it, I felt like I look like the Eiffel Tower at nighttime when it’s bright,” the 28-year-old and four-time Grand Slam winner said, adding that her only worry was that the glittering dress might be too reflective in the sun. She had worn a jellyfish-inspired dress at the Australian Open in January.
“When the sun hit the dress, it reflects a lot, so I was actually a little worried that the umpire was going to kick me off the court.” Fortunately, I didn’t have to wear the two backup, regular gowns.
