Naomi Osaka doesn’t worry about her on-court fashion. Whether it’s a collection of rhinestone-encrusted love baths or tulle-lined floaty skirts and oversized bows, athletes have always turned to fashion as a form of self-expression on the court. But today, Osaka outdid herself at the 2026 Australian Open.
“When I look back at the players who came before me, I think about how that moment, that image, was a lasting memory,” Osaka said. Popular. “Most of the time, other people write the story for us. This felt like a moment where I could write a little bit of my own story.”
Sebastian Arriagada / CCG Social
To perfect her walk-on look, Osaka turned to couturier Robert Wang, whose dreamlike pieces have been worn by Beyoncé, Cardi B, Ariana Grande, and more. Osaka’s vision first appeared when she was reading to her 2-year-old daughter, Shai. “I had an image of a jellyfish, so I showed it to her and she was so excited,” she says.
Adam Kudemati
Fascinated by the beauty and elegance of jellyfish, not to mention their strength, Osaka shared her inspiration with the Nike team, who incorporated the sea creatures into the player’s look. A tie-dyed turquoise and green zip-up with organic tendrils hanging from the sleeves, she wore it over a matching racerback. “It was beautifully reflected in the movement and fluidity of the sheer layers of the dress and jacket. I remember seeing it during the fitting and thinking, ‘This is beautiful,’ but also feeling like the story wasn’t quite finished yet,” she says.
That’s when Eun appeared. Osaka and her longtime collaborator Marty Harper happened to come across Ng’s runway images while exchanging ideas about Australian Open uniforms. “We were both instantly fascinated by the shapes, textures, and movement of his pieces,” Osaka says. “Everything was living in the same world that we had imagined.” So they approached Wang with the possibility of contributing to his walk-on style.