Fashion Takes Centre Stage At The French Open
Naomi Osaka once again turned a Grand Slam entrance into a fashion moment, walking onto Court Suzanne-Lenglen at the French Open in a dramatic couture-inspired look.
The tennis star arrived wearing a ceremonial black skirt and a sleeveless beaded bodice before removing the outer pieces to reveal a sequined gold playing dress for her opening match in Paris.
A Dress Inspired By Paris At Night
After the match, Osaka described the outfit as “very couture” and compared the shimmering gold dress to the Eiffel Tower at night.
The playing dress was designed by Nike, while the outer garments came from Swiss designer Kevin Germanier. The embellished bodice was structured to resemble armour, adding a theatrical edge to her walk-on look.
Osaka Wins Her Opening Match
Once the over-garments were removed, Osaka shifted from fashion statement to competition mode.
The four-time Grand Slam champion defeated Germany’s Laura Siegemund 6-3, 7-6 (3), advancing after a match that combined on-court focus with one of the tournament’s most talked-about entrances.
A Growing Grand Slam Signature
Osaka has increasingly used major tournaments as a stage for expressive fashion. At the Australian Open earlier this year, she walked on wearing a wide-brim hat, veil and white parasol.
At last year’s U.S. Open, she wore sparkly red roses in her ponytail above a red outfit and even carried a matching Labubu named Billie Jean Bling.
From The Met Gala To Roland Garros
Osaka’s interest in fashion has extended well beyond tennis. She recently wore a standout outfit at the Met Gala in New York, further reinforcing her position as one of the sport’s most style-conscious athletes.
Her French Open look continued that trajectory, blending performance wear, couture references and personal storytelling in a way that has become increasingly central to her public image.
Switching From Entrance To Match Mode
Osaka said she has become more comfortable moving from a theatrical entrance to a competitive mindset within minutes.
She explained that the roses she wore at the U.S. Open marked the point where she began embracing fashion more fully. The Australian Open look then became a major conversation starter, making the transition feel more natural.
Athletes As Entertainers
Osaka said Grand Slam walk-ons are one of the few moments when she feels like an entertainer.
“Athletes are in show business,” she said, explaining that these entrances allow her to express herself in a way that goes beyond the technical demands of tennis.
A Practical Concern On Court
The gold dress did come with one unexpected worry. Osaka said she was concerned that sunlight reflecting off the sequins might become distracting.
She joked that she feared the umpire might remove her from the court because of the glare. As a precaution, she had two normal Nike dresses ready as backups.
Fashion As A Form Of Expression
Osaka said earlier in the week that fashion allows her to communicate without speaking much.
She acknowledged that her fashion sense can be dramatic, and her French Open entrance proved the point. For Osaka, clothing has become more than presentation. It is part of how she tells her story, commands attention and brings personality to the biggest stages in tennis.
