TENNIS: Osaka embracing role as entertainer after another grand walk-on

PARIS — Naomi Osaka said she brought backup outfits to the French Open in case officials disapproved of her sparkling yellow-brown and gold dress, but was relieved she could continue expressing her style on court during her first-round match against Laura Siegemund on Tuesday.

The former world No. 1 drew attention on the third day of the Grand Slam when she arrived at Court Suzanne Lenglen wearing a black Kevin Germanier skirt before revealing a layered Nike match dress in yellow-brown and gold.

“When I first saw the match dress in real life, I felt like I look like the Eiffel Tower at night, when it’s bright,” Osaka said after her 6-3, 7-6(3) win.

“I actually got a little worried, because when the sun hits the dress, it reflects a lot. So I was a little scared that the umpire was going to kick me off the court.

“So I got two backup normal Nike dresses… thank God I didn’t have to wear them. I thought the reflection of the dress was really beautiful, but it just reminded me of the Eiffel Tower a little bit.”

Osaka, who previously wore a jellyfish-inspired outfit at the Australian Open, said she has grown more comfortable embracing fashion statements on tour.

“I’m a little used to it now. In Australia, the Yoon Ambush dress kind of started it all off in 2024. The U.S. Open, the roses in my hair last year, that’s when I started to really get into it,” she said.

“I don’t really feel like it’s a big deal to do that and then play after. I can see where people think I feel a little stressed, but that’s the thing about it.

“Sometimes people say athletes are in show business or are entertainers. For me, Grand Slam walk-ons are the only time I possibly feel like I’m an entertainer.”

Osaka also welcomed the possibility of a return to the tour of former rival and 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, who has not competed since the 2022 U.S. Open but has fueled speculation about a comeback after re-entering the sport’s anti-doping testing pool last year.

“Just to see her around the sites and playing matches again would be really cool for tennis,” Osaka said.

“I would be excited to see her outfits again, too. But also her playing. I think she’s one of the best players in the world, of course.” -Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Paris, editing by Pritha Sarkar/Reuters