Naomi Osaka surprised the crowd at Rod Laver Arena when she walked onto the court in a stylish, jellyfish-inspired blue-green outfit for her opening match at the Australian Open last month. It was not just the outfit but the entire ensemble, including a tasteful hat and an umbrella, that caught everyone’s attention.
The Japanese star has always been an outgoing athlete who never shies away from voicing her opinion or showcasing her bold, unorthodox style. During a recent interview with Hypebeast, Osaka reflected on whether the newer players treat sporting events as bigger cultural moments, while giving a special shoutout to Ben Shelton.
“I’m sure they do, but I’m also the worst person to ask this question because I’m kind of like a grandma when it comes to certain things. I do realize that there are a bunch of young and dynamic players out right now like Joao Fonseca and Ben Shelton,” Osaka said.
“Ben worked with Loewe, for example, which I thought was cool. So it’s fascinating to see the different avenues that they’re going to take and the way that their personal brands are going to venture off,” she added.
Naomi Osaka Feels Tennis is Still a “Very Traditional Game”
In the same interview, Osaka spoke about the expectations from tennis players to be looked at or perceived in a certain way, as has been the case for many years. The four-time Grand Slam champion said tennis is still a traditional sport, but the new era of players might not fit the exact definition that many use.
“I feel like whenever I do something, there’s always people who are like, “Oh, let’s keep tennis classy.” Whatever that means. I think tennis is growing so much and there’s so much room to improve and to express yourself,” Osaka said.
“I think, even now, they’re starting to implement different rules so [attendees] can come in during the middle of the games where traditionally you had to wait until the changeover. But, of course, there’s still rules about being silent and things like that,” she added.
“So it’s definitely a very traditional game, and I feel like the players that are coming in aren’t as traditional as some people would hope,” Osaka concluded.
Should Osaka recover in time from the physical strain sustained during the Australian Open, she will headline the WTA 1000 event at Indian Wells alongside other top names in women’s tennis. The BNP Paribas Open begins March 4.
Also read:
Naomi Osaka Explains Why She Won’t Stop Daughter Shai From Her ‘Inevitable’ Pursuit Of Tennis Career
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
