It is not new to see fashionable sports icons, but for Naomi Osaka, it was more than just fashion; it was a statement.
The 28-year-old tennis star is recognized as both a standout athlete and a fashion icon. Her pre-match outfits consistently turn heads and challenge the sport’s traditional norms.
For the 2026 Australian Open, Grand Slam champion Osaka wore an elaborate, oceanic, exoskeletal outfit that was inspired by a jellyfish. This was a one-up for Osaka, who made headlines last year for the custom, crystal-encrusted Labubu’s she wore during every round of the 2025 US Open.
“When I look back at the players who came before me, I think about how those moments—those looks—have become memories that live forever,” Osaka told Vogue. “So much of the time, other people get to write our stories for us. This felt like a moment where I could write a little bit of my own.”
Robert Wun, known for his creations worn by celebrities like Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, and Cardi B, designed the ensemble. However, the concept itself originated from a very special person, Osaka’s 2-year-old daughter, Shai.
Osaka revealed that the inspiration for the jellyfish-themed outfit came while she was reading a story about marine life to her daughter. She explained to the publication, “There was an image of a jellyfish, and when I showed it to her she got so excited.”
The outfit featured a jellyfish-inspired, nautical design. It included a zip-up top in tie-dye turquoise and green with organic, dripping tendrils on the sleeves, worn over a matching racerback. The look was completed with a pleated miniskirt layered over white, wide-leg pants.
The dramatic centerpiece of the outfit was the oversized hat, featuring a massive brim and a gauzy white veil. Delicate butterflies were perched on the veil, a detail suggested by Wun that carried a specific, personal meaning related to Osaka and her tennis career.
“After we sent over our moodboards, Robert came back with a reference that really touched me: the butterfly moment from Australian Open 2021,” she told Vogue.
“One of the looks from my fall 2024 collection was inspired by her moment at court, when a butterfly landed on her face mid-match. A simple, beautiful scene that went viral as she gently placed it aside,” Wun explained. “I wanted to revisit that story and weave it into this design and collaboration.”
READ ALSO: Naomi Osaka just secured her first ever trophy on clay
Osaka explained that during the design process, Wun proposed the concept of creating an outfit inspired by exoskeletal creatures. She found this symbolic of “the birth of something new,” representing “energy, transformation, and excitement.”
Osaka welcomed her daughter, Shai, with rapper Cordae, 28, in July 2023. The athlete’s been open about how her perspective on her life and tennis has changed significantly since becoming a mom.
“I was one of those people that thought when I had a kid I would stop playing tennis,” Osaka told People in August 2025.
Instead of retiring after the birth of her daughter, as she had originally considered, Osaka pursued different, more ambitious goals.
“While I was pregnant, I was kind of very inspired,” she remarked. “I also wanted my daughter to be able to see me play tennis. It was such a big part of my life and I feel like she doesn’t know it, but she definitely inspired me to continue.”
READ ALSO: Naomi Osaka and Cordae part ways, Tennis star confirms split
