Japanese-Haitian tennis player Naomi Osaka brings couture flair to French Open opener

By The Associated Press | Additional editing by The Haitian Times

PARIS (AP) — The Japanese and Haitian tennis star Naomi Osaka opened her French Open on May 26 with both a win and another fashion statement, stepping onto the court in a couture-inspired outfit before defeating Germany’s Laura Siegemund in straight sets.

The tennis star walked onto Court Suzanne-Lenglen in a ceremonial black skirt and sleeveless beaded bodice, which she removed to reveal a sequined gold playing dress for her opening match in Paris.

“It’s very couture,” Osaka said of her dress after the match. “You know the Eiffel Tower at night when it’s sparkly. I kind of think I look like that a little bit.”

Osaka entered wearing the embellished bodice structured to recall armor and a long pleated skirt over her playing attire. She then removed the over-garments and went on to beat German opponent Laura Siegemund 6-3, 7-6 (3).

Osaka said Nike designed the playing dress while the outer pieces were from Swiss designer Kevin Germanier.

Earlier this year at the Australian Open, Osaka walked on wearing a wide-brim hat, a veil and holding a white parasol. And at last year’s U.S. Open, she had sparkly red roses in her ponytail above her red outfit and even a matching Labubu that she named Billie Jean Bling.

The four-time Grand Slam champion also recently wore a show-stopping outfit at the Met Gala in New York.

So how does Osaka switch her focus from her grand entrances to playing a tennis match minutes later?

“I’m a little used to it now,” she said. “The U.S. Open, the roses in my hair- that’s when I started to really get into it a lot more. Obviously, with Australia, that was a real conversation starter. So I don’t really feel like it’s too much of a big deal to do that and then play after.

“Athletes are in show business,” Osaka added. “Grand Slam walk-ons are the only time that I possibly feel like I’m an entertainer.”

Osaka had other concerns, though.

“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,” she said. “So I (had) two back-up normal Nike dresses.”

Earlier Tuesday on Court Philippe-Chatrier, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka wore two necklaces featuring diamonds during her opening win.

Osaka said on Saturday that she enjoys fashion since “I don’t talk a lot, so that way I can talk through my clothes.”

She added, “I am a little dramatic when it comes to my fashion sense.”

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