The Tamesis
Naomi Osaka is not outstanding in terms of fashion on the court. Whether it’s the rhinestone-encrusted Labubus collection or the ruffled, tulle-lined skirts and oversized bows, the athlete has always viewed fashion as a form of self-expression on the court. Today, however, at the 2026 Australian Open, Osaka outdid herself.
“When I look back at the players who came before me, I think about how those moments — those looks — are memories that will last forever,” Osaka told us Fashion. “A lot of times, other people get to write the story for us. This felt like a moment where I could write a little bit of my own story.”
Sebastian Arigada/CCG Social
To create her walk-on look, Osaka turned to fashion designer Robert Wun, whose dreamy pieces have been worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Cardi B and Ariana Grande, to help her cross the finish line. Osaka’s vision first occurred when she was reading to her two-year-old daughter Xie. “There was a picture of a jellyfish, and when I showed it to her, she got really excited,” she said.
Adam Cudermati
Captivated by the beauty and elegance of the jellyfish, not to mention its power, Osaka shared her inspiration with the Nike team, who incorporated the sea creature into the player’s look: tie-dye turquoise with green zippers, organic tendrils hanging from the sleeves, and a matching racerback. “It translated perfectly into the movement and fluidity of the sheer layers on the skirt and jacket. When I saw it during the fitting, I remember thinking, ‘This is beautiful,’ but also feeling like the story wasn’t quite finished yet,” she said.
This is where Wun comes in. Osaka and longtime collaborator Marty Harper were exchanging ideas for Wun’s Australian Open jersey when they came across a photo of Wun on the runway. “We were immediately drawn to his shapes, textures and the way his pieces moved,” Osaka said. “It’s all living in the same world we imagined.” So the pair raised the possibility of Wun contributing to her walk-on look
