Naomi Osaka walked onto Court 3 at Wimbledon in a kimono-inspired white outfit, again pushing the boundaries of Grand Slam fashion despite strict dress rules. The 28-year-old’s latest look—sparked by a continuing “fashion show” debate—arrived after criticism a
Naomi Osaka didn’t ease her way onto Wimbledon’s Court 3. She stepped out in a kimono-inspired white ensemble, the kind of entrance that makes the crowd look up before a ball is even served.
Wimbledon’s clothing rules are clear: players must wear white. Osaka followed them. but still found a way to turn the match day ritual into something closer to a runway moment. In her opening round match against Elsa Jacquemot. she wore a tule layered skirt under a kimono jacket with open bell-shaped sleeves. dove wing embroidery and a thick obi belt.
After shaking hands with Jacquemot, Osaka moved to her chair and removed the kimono-style outfit, revealing a white Nike kit underneath. That inner look also carried matching embroidery.
The Wimbledon spectacle comes just weeks after her French Open outfits sparked open pushback from rivals. During Roland Garros. Osaka was accused of prioritising fashion over tennis after she arrived with upcycled garments and unveiled a sparkling gold ‘Eiffel Tower’ dress. along with various walk-on outfits.
At Roland Garros. her first-round opponent Laura Siegemund told TNT Sports: “I came here to play tennis. not to put on a fashion show. ” adding. “And if others want to put on a fashion show. then they should go ahead and do it. That’s totally fine with me.” Siegemund also expressed frustration about the time Osaka was given to remove her outer garments. comparing it with how long players are allowed to do “meaningful things” during matches.
Osaka’s response since has been consistent: she insists the walk-ons are part of what she brings to the sport rather than a distraction from it. She has long been known for catwalk-style entrances at Grand Slams, including a jellyfish-inspired outfit at the Australian Open in January.
At Wimbledon on Monday afternoon, the latest outfit carried the same signature idea of reinvention. Even the design details pointed back to how Osaka builds looks from older pieces. Her Wimbledon kimono-inspired set followed a broader pattern seen in Paris. where the gold look and other outfits were tied to upcycled materials.
In the French Open controversy. Siegemund’s complaints came after Osaka wore a flowing black skirt and a corset made from old Nike outfits. before unveiling the shimmering gold dress. The black corset and skirt were designed by couturier Kevin Garmanier, working with upcycled materials. The pleated black skirt was made using the inner layers of one of her jackets. while Osaka’s old tennis skirts and dresses were cut up and reused. The finished outfit was then covered in hundreds of hand-applied crystals.
Not all her opponents shared the same view. Donna Vekic, Osaka’s second-round opponent in Paris, had “no complaints” after her defeat. Vekic said: “Some people take tennis way too seriously. Relax, it’s just an outfit. Ithink it’s good that she’s doing different things, expressing herself through fashion. Whether it’s good or bad, that’s a different thing, it’s fashion.”.
Osaka’s own comments from Roland Garros underscored the line she’s trying to walk between self-expression and competition. She said of the gold dress: “When I first saw the dress in real life. I felt like I looked like the Eiffel Tower at night-time when it’s sparkling.” She also admitted she grew concerned about what the outfit might do under match conditions. saying: “And then I actually got a little worried. because when the sun hits the dress. it reflects a lot. I was a little scared that the umpire was going to kick me off the court.”.
She described her walk-on choices as something she enjoys rather than a detour from tennis: “It’s just fun to watch designers work. especially when there is an already pre-existing thing that they have to design around. ” and added: “Sometimes people say athletes in show business or entertainers or whatever. ” before concluding. “I feel like. for me. Grand Slam walk-ons are the only time that I possibly feel like I’m an entertainer.”.
At Wimbledon. she appeared to bring that same mindset with her—again turning a strict uniform requirement into the backdrop for a signature display. The focus of the conversation hasn’t changed: how much room should fashion get at the sport’s biggest stages. and where does the boundary with tennis actually sit?.
Osaka’s Wimbledon outfit also reflects how much effort she puts into the details. The 28-year-old. who earns £7.5million a year in her deal with Nike. has not shied away from the controversy that followed her earlier looks. After criticism at Roland Garros. she strode onto court in Paris with a range of upcycled jackets and skirts made from her old match outfits over her gold dress.
Her French Open run ended with a fourth-round defeat to Aryna Sabalenka. Sabalenka—who was scheduled for the first women’s match in three years for the prestigious evening slot on Court Philippe-Chatrier—took the win as Osaka’s walk-ons again drew attention. including previous entry looks featuring ivory and coffee trains attached to the back of her outfit.
Even outside the French Open and Wimbledon, Osaka’s fashion streak has been part of her public identity. At Indian Wells. she arrived on court with tribal-inspired jewellery over her lips. nose and ears. alongside a black mesh and cheetah-print Nike dress. trainers and jacket. At this year’s Met Gala. she turned heads with a ‘skin-shedding’ performance on the entrance steps. wearing a white coat covered in red feathers to resemble blood before removing it to reveal a blood-red and crystalled gown designed to look like exposed muscle. tendon and sinew.
Back at Wimbledon. the immediate scene was simpler: Osaka walked out in white. then stepped away to remove the outer layers. leaving the match to do what matches are meant to do. But the debate she’s fuelled—about whether walk-ons are celebration or distraction—has followed her from Paris to SW19. and it’s not going anywhere.
Naomi Osaka Wimbledon Elsa Jacquemot fashion show strict dress code kimono inspired outfit Roland Garros Laura Siegemund Donna Vekic Aryna Sabalenka Kevin Garmanier Nike upcycled outfits