World No. 16 Naomi Osaka started her BNP Paribas Open run on a positive note in Indian Wells by defeating Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva in the second round of the WTA 1000 event on Friday night. Although the four-time Grand Slam champion played well, her latest fashion kit for the tournament went viral on social media.
Osaka stepped onto the court in a cheetah-inspired outfit, accessorized with a golden mouthpiece and multiple earrings. Fans and analysts quickly noticed her fashion choice, as the Japanese star continues to bring an imaginative style to the court for the second consecutive tournament this year.
Osaka’s outfit received a mixed reaction from the tennis fraternity on social media. Some fans did not approve of the former World No. 1’s fashion choices for the tournament.
“I’m sorry this is so much attention seeking,” another fan commented.
“What happened to her? She used to be not an attention seeker,” yet another fan commented.
Other fans went in a different direction, praising and appreciating Osaka’s latest fit check for the tournament.
“Gorgeous,” one fan commented.
“Naomi just gets it. One of the most fashion-forward athletes in the world,” another fan commented.
“Bad ass fit,” yet another fan commented.
Naomi Osaka Explained Her Latest Fit Check at Indian Wells
During the post-game interview, the two-time Australian Open champion was evidently asked about her latest outfit choice at Indian Wells. Osaka calmly explained the philosophy behind her bold fashion choice for the tournament.
“I mean, I would definitely say obviously if I wear these outfits, I want to stay in the tournament for a long time, and I do believe in, like: ‘look good, feel good. But I think for me, when I’m developing the kits or designing stuff with Nike, I love telling stories,” Osaka said.
“So when I was a kid, I loved, like, creating sketches and kind of designing the world where that character came from. For me, that’s something that I’m really grateful that I can do and that people are interested in. Yeah, I would say it’s fun for me to get through the rounds and be asked questions about it,” she added.
Osaka will now play Camila Osorio in R3 of the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday.
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