NEW YORK: Two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka made a statement before she'd struck a ball in her US Open return on Tuesday, calling her Harajuku-inspired outfit a "super suit" that lends her strength.
Osaka, back at Flushing Meadows after missing last year after the birth of her daughter Shai, turned heads when she took the court in a layered outfit featuring a bright green skirt with a stiff tulle petticoat and a jacket bedecked with a bright green bow.
She doffed both to reveal a tiered green tennis dress, with a white bow on the back waist, bows on both shoes complementing the effect.
"It's based on Japanese and Harajuku culture," Osaka said of the ensemble designed by Yoon Ahn with a nod to the Tokyo district famed for its street art and fashion.
She said being involved in the design of signature outfits "gives me 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'," Osaka said.
"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.
"Then it made me feel better, another player came up to me and asked to take a picture. I hope it was a positive picture, it wasn't, like, 'Oh, my God, look at her'."
Tuesday's outfit was one of two versions. Nike unveiled a black and white version – for the US Open night sessions – before the tournament.
"I think for me, when I put on the outfit it's almost like a super suit, so I try to channel that," Osaka said.