![[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Jan 20, 2026; Melbourne, AUSTRALIA; Naomi Osaka of Japan after defeating Antonia Ruzic of Croatia in a first round match during the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park.](https://collegefootballnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/naomi-osaka-gets-scathing-criticism-01-21-26-1920x1320.jpg "Naomi Osaka Moved Beyond Words After Stunning Australian Open Nike Outfit Goes 'Sold Out' In First Retail Release")
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka turned heads with her pre-match jellyfish-inspired outfit at Rod Laver Arena for her first-round match against Antonia Ruzic. The look came with flowing ruffles, a wide-brimmed hat with a veil, and a parasol. The outfit was designed in collaboration with Nike and fashion designer Robert Wun.
Discussing her outfit on the Advantage Connors podcast, former tennis star Jimmy Connors believes Osaka is seeking attention with her high-end fashion choices. This is in contrast with when Osaka took maternity leave and stepped away from tennis. At the time, she wanted privacy.
“You know, I mean, she’s won Grand Slams and everything,” Connors said (17:20). “I know she stepped away from the game and kind of liked her privacy and being low-key. And now she comes out at the Australian Open, for somebody who likes so much privacy to want so much attention, you know, it’s kind of interesting to me.”
However, Connors added that as long as she continues to win, she can wear anything she wants. At the end of the day, winning is what matters.
“I mean, if she continues to win, wear whatever you want, you know, and everyone else will start to wear that stuff,” Connors added. “That’s going to catch on eventually. And now she’s in the third round, I think, so even people in the stands are going to start going out and saying, ‘Well, this isn’t a bad look, maybe I like that.’ So it’s all about winning, brother.”
Naomi Osaka Describes the Meaning Behind Wearing Such Outfits
It was not the first time Naomi Osaka stunned the tennis court with an unconventional outfit. Osaka has expressed that fashion brings her joy and personal expression.
“Honestly, I realise I’m a little strange because I don’t really think I care,” she said. “For me, I just feel like I want to do things that create joy and happiness. For me, obviously, I really love fashion. That makes me excited to wake up and do the whole, like, walk-on or whatever. It just creates a little bit more joy in that whole match preparation.”
Particularly for her jellyfish look, Osaka said the outfit drew inspiration from a moment with her young daughter.
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