Boris Becker has stirred the pot by describing Naomi Osaka’s sensational jellyfish-inspired outfit as a ‘contradiction’. The ensemble, which made waves among tennis enthusiasts, was showcased during her triumphant entrance at the Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, caught everyone’s eye as she prepared for her first-round match against Antonia Ruzic. Her outfit consisted of a striking turquoise tunic paired with flowing, crimped white trousers, which drew admiration from fans and fashionistas alike.
Adding a touch of whimsy to her look, Osaka carried a parasol and topped off the ensemble with a wide-brimmed white hat. The hat featured an attached veil that gracefully trailed behind her as she stepped onto the court, creating a memorable and elegant image.
Osaka expressed her desire to etch her name alongside tennis legends known for their iconic fashion statements. Her bold style choices continue to captivate audiences, as evidenced by her previous appearance at the US Open, where she donned a bright-green skirt adorned with a silk bow.
The 28-year-old’s penchant for standout fashion moments underscores her ability to blend athletic prowess with a flair for the dramatic, leaving a lasting impression both on and off the court.
It’s not the first time Osaka has turned heads with her sensational choice of style, with the 28-year-old last year seen warming up at the US Open wearing a bright-green skirt with a silk bow attached to her back.
But while conceding the outfit was ‘iconic’, Becker hit out at Osaka, noting that she has previously attempted to shield herself from the public eye.
Boris Becker claimed that Naomi Osaka’s (pictured) showstopping walk out at the Australian Open on Tuesday was a ‘contradiction’
The six-time Grand Slam winner claimed that the look went against Osaka’s past comments that she had tried to shy away from the spotlight
‘These are, of course, images for the media,’ the six-time Grand Slam champion said to TNT Sports.
‘The way she entered the court is already iconic. No other player has dared to wear such an outfit. But she did.
‘But there is also a contradiction: on the one hand, she doesn’t want to be under so much pressure, she doesn’t want to be in the public eye and in the media so much – and then she comes onto centre court in an outfit like that.
‘Of course, that puts her back in the public spotlight. I would point out that she also needed a mental break a few years ago.
‘For me, it’s generally important that the focus here is on the sport.’
Osaka made headlines ahead of the French Open in 2021 when she revealed that she was stepping out of the spotlight and would not be conducting press conferences due to her mental health.
‘I’ve often felt that people have no regard for athletes’ mental health and this rings very true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one,’ Osaka had written on X before the French Open.
She added: ‘I’m just not going to subject myself to people who doubt me.’
Osaka (pictured) stunned the crowd ahead of her match against Antonia Ruzic, wearing a brimmed hat, while carrying a parasol
She later donned a turquoise warm-up jacket that had green snippets of green material hanging from it
After advancing past the first round, Osaka later withdrew from the French Open and would play at only three more tournaments in 2021.
While she claimed victory on the Challenger Tour in May, Osaka has not won on the WTA Tour since her Australian Open victory in 2021.
On Tuesday, she returned to Melbourne Park and got her Grand Slam campaign off to a positive start, despite being forced to work for the win by the impressive world No 65, Ruzic.
Osaka claimed the first set before Ruzic bounced back to send the match to a final set decider.
But it was the two-time Australian Open champion’s Grand Slam experience that were pivotal in helping her surpass her opponent.
Osaka took a 2-0 lead in the final set before Ruzic bounced back to level the tie. The pair traded breakpoints to take the match to 4-4 and it looked as though the decider could go to a tiebreak.
The Japanese star then showcased her ability to close out matches, serving out to love before breaking the Croatian in the eighth game to claim a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 victory.
Asked if she had felt any pressure during the match, given her grand entrance, Osaka said: ‘I realise I’m a little strange because I don’t really think I care.
While Osaka would go on to seal a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 victory she was made to work for the win by her opponent Ruzic (pictured)
Asked if she had felt any pressure during the match, given her grand entrance, Osaka said: ‘I realise I’m a little strange because I don’t really think I care’
‘I just feel like I want to do things that create joy and happiness. Obviously, I really love fashion. That makes me excited to wake up and do the whole walk-on or whatever. It just creates a little bit more joy in that whole match preparation.
‘When I was playing today, I just told myself: “Keep your head on the path. If she beats you, then that’s unfortunate. But, hey, at least you’re trending on Twitter”.’
The softly spoken tennis star added that she believes she is a different person when she’s on the court compared to when she’s off it.
‘For me, I feel like when I step on the court, I’m not the me that you’re talking to right now,’ Osaka said.
‘I would never yell ‘C’mon’ that loud in a normal setting. I almost feel like I’m a Barbie that dresses up and goes on the court and does something.
‘When I come back in the locker room is when I’m like my true, quiet Naomi.’
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