Naomi Osaka made her third entrance on Louis Armstrong Stadium at the US Open on Saturday night with yet another fresh look, but the latest courtside fashion statement sparked a mixed reaction among viewers watching from home.
The four-time Grand Slam champion has built a reputation for turning major tournaments into style moments, and her US Open outfits in New York this week have continued to draw attention beyond the tennis.
On Thursday, Osaka arrived in a crisp all-white outfit, complete with a long overshirt decorated with stitched tennis racket details.
That daytime look was a sharp departure from the dramatic all-black skirt-and-tank ensemble she wore during Monday night’s appearance on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
For Saturday’s match, the Japanese tennis star changed direction once again, pairing a pale gray zip-up hoodie with a tailored gray plaid blazer. She completed the pre-match look with loose, wide-leg gray trousers that flowed as she walked onto court.
Naomi Osaka debuted another walk-on outfit during her latest US Open appearance
The Japanese star layered a light-gray hoodie beneath a structured gray plaid blazer
Osaka later switched into an all-black Nike kit for her match against Elise Mertens on Louis Armstrong Stadium
The look did not impress everybody, however, and fans took to social media to give their opinions.
‘Nobody cares, it’s a tennis court not Paris fashion week ffs,’ one commented.
Another posted: ‘She’s the only one that does this.’
A third responded: ‘Always cringe. My favorite tennis player is whoever is playing against Naomi Osaka.
One fan declared Osaka ‘looked like a clown’, while another insisted they were ‘so tired of this’.
The 13th-seeded Osaka progressed to the fourth round by defeating Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, in a match that lasted two hours, 38 minutes.
The two-time champion put her head on her racket after the final point, stunned at herself at the victory.
‘Honestly, I can´t believe I won this match,’ Osaka said. ‘I´m literally shocked that I won this match.’
Osaka was down 4-2 in the third set and apologized for expressing so much frustration throughout a tough night.
‘There was a certain point, I don´t know, I felt like I put my entire heart on the court and then I just kept trying every single point,’ Osaka said.
‘I didn´t feel like I played amazing, and it was really getting me down. I was very negative on myself.’
The 13th-seeded Osaka progressed to the fourth round by defeating Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5
Earlier in the week, Naomi Osaka was forced to wait until the chair umpire had chided a group of spectators in one of Arthur Ashe’s hospitality suites.
‘Guys, please, in the suite behind me, please thank you guys, please take your seat,’ the chair umpire announced to the stadium, as the broadcast camera panned to a group milling freely within their prime seats, taking pictures and talking.
Elsewhere in the stands, another spectator was heard calling out: ‘The players are ready!’
When the stadium had stilled somewhat, Osaka returned to her serve but struggled with her ball toss, apologizing as she reset.
Footage captured from another spectator of the group on social media later showed them posing as a group, allegedly during a game, with a person who appeared to be a member of US Open staff holding up a portable light to help them capture the shot.
The social media clip showed another spectator on the same evening posing in front of the court with a portable light, also allegedly during live matchplay.
When contacted by Daily Mail Sport for comment on the incident, Brendan McIntyre, head of US Open communications, said: ‘We want our fans and guests to have an incredible time when they attend the US Open, but we also need to ensure that does not interfere with the action and competition on the court.
‘These instances happen infrequently, and similar to when crowd noise reaches a certain level, our chair umpires have the ability to address the crowd when they occur.’
