Outfit of the Day: Naomi Osaka’s ‘maximalist’ US Open kit steals the show: “Hope this isn't too much!”

NEW YORK—Naomi Osaka made her highly anticipated return to the US Open for the first time since 2022 on Tuesday, and there was no way the two-time champion was going to fly under the radar.

The former world No. 1 was covered from head to toe in true “maximalist” style featuring tulle, ruffles and bows—thanks to a custom “Lolita goth”-inspired look from Nike.

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“I definitely love to be involved in everything I do, whether it's fashion or anything else,” Osaka told press after her first-round victory. “But I feel like being able to be a part of my tennis outfits gives me, I would say, a different strength.

“Especially the US Open outfits, I feel like they are a little bit more flamboyant. When I was putting on my outfit today, I was, like, ah, I hope this isn't too much!”

Before she enters the court, Osaka says she goes through a ‘moment of transformation’—a sort of mental anime-style ‘magical girl’ transformation (think: Sailor Moon) as she prepares to compete.

That feeling was reflected in the many layers of her eye-catching look, with Osaka walking out on Louis Armstrong Stadium wearing a stunning white warm-up jacket with a tennis ball zipper and a warm-up skirt. Both pieces featured layers of tulle for added drama, while a giant green bow adorned the back of the jacket.

“Because I had the tutu and then I had the bow jacket and it was green, I feel like everyone was staring at me funny,” Osaka said. “And then I put the headphones on, that was a real killer. I was, like, you know what, embrace this maximalist style…

“I think for me, when I put on the outfit it's almost like a super suit, so I try to channel that.”

The warm-up layers revealed a green sleeveless Nike dress which featured even more ruffles along the skirt and armholes, a fitted racerback bodice, and of course, a large white bow on the back.

The theme continued from head to toe, with her white Nike Zoom GP Challenge 1 shoes also including a green bow on the back heel and even her signature Beats headphones getting the treatment, transformed into an elaborate “Lolita”-style headdress with pearls and bows.

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Created by Japanese designer Yoon Ahn, the creative director of Ambush and global curator for Nike Women, the custom outfit is part of a collaboration that has been in the works for years, according to Osaka. There will be a black colorway for night matches, which was unveiled on social media ahead of the tournament.

“Designing is an exercise of listening and imagining the story the athlete wants to tell. And this one is for Naomi Osaka’s personal journey,” Ahn shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

The look was inspired by one of Osaka’s first visits to Harajuku, a district in Tokyo known for its unique and often extreme fashion, where the 26-year-old recalled seeing ruffles and bows galore while being captivated by over-the-top “Lolita” styles.

“Lolita fashion offers an escape from adulthood, a return to the innocence and beauty of childhood,” the designer explained. “It’s a doorway to a fantasy world where you can craft an ideal identity that may not fit everyday norms but feels perfect in this imaginative space.”

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Osaka’s own tennis journey took a major milestone on Tuesday, when she took down Jelena Ostapenko in a confidence-boosting 6-3, 6-2 victory—the first Top 10 win of her comeback from maternity leave.

The former world No. 1 will face Karolina Muchova in the second round of the US Open on Thursday.