French Open: ‘I came to play tennis, not put on fashion show’ Osaka Naomi’s opponent criticises drawn-out dress reveal | International Sports News
Naomi Osaka’s custom French Open outfit sparked debate at Roland Garros after her first-round opponent Laura Siegemund criticised the extended pre-match fashion reveal and suggested that bigger tennis stars receive different treatment under tournament rules. The four-time Grand Slam champion defeated Germany’s Siegemund 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) on Court Suzanne-Lenglen on Tuesday, but much of the post-match discussion focused on Osaka’s elaborate entrance outfit and the additional time taken before play began. Osaka arrived on court wearing a flowing black corset alongside a cascading pleated skirt and sleeveless beaded bodice designed by Kevin Germanier, a couturier known for working with upcycled materials and sustainable fashion concepts. After stepping onto the clay, the Japanese star removed the outer black gown to reveal a shimmering custom gold Nike dress covered in sequins, which reflected brightly under the Paris sunshine throughout the match. The 28-year-old later explained that the sparkling design had been inspired by the Eiffel Tower at night. “Funny enough, you know the Eiffel Tower at night when it’s sparkly? I think I look like that a little bit,” Osaka said after the victory. Speaking later about the outfit, Osaka admitted she had initially worried tournament officials might object to the reflective sequins under the bright conditions in Paris. “When I first saw it, I felt like I look like the Eiffel Tower at night time when it’s bright,” Osaka said. “Then I actually got a little worried because when the sun hits the dress, it reflects a lot, so I was a little scared the umpire was going to kick me off the court. “I got two back-up, normal dresses, thankfully I didn’t have to wear them.”
Siegemund criticises outfit delay and claims stars are treated differently
While Osaka’s entrance drew praise from sections of the tennis world and spectators inside Roland Garros, Siegemund made clear after the match that she was unimpressed by both the spectacle itself and the additional time allowed before the contest officially started. “I couldn’t care less,” Siegemund told TNT Sports after her straight-sets defeat. “I come here to play tennis, not to put on a fashion show. And if others want to put on a fashion show, then they should go ahead and do it. That’s totally fine with me.” The German world No. 47 specifically took issue with the amount of time Osaka was permitted to spend changing outfits before the opening point. “I find something else problematic. In our sport, at every tournament they count every second, right up until you’ve unpacked your water bottle,” Siegemund said. “But she can have a minute and a half to change. I have a problem with that, because these rules simply exist and they are what they are, every second is now being watched so closely for us. “And I also think that with performances like these, every second should be accounted for. That’s the only thing regarding the rules that I don’t think is okay and where, once again, bigger names are treated differently.” There was also an additional stoppage before the match began after Osaka’s black gown had to be removed from the player bench area because it was occupying too much space courtside.
Osaka continues reputation for headline-grabbing Grand Slam fashion
Osaka has become one of tennis’ most recognisable fashion figures over recent years, regularly unveiling elaborate custom outfits during Grand Slam tournaments. The French Open appearance followed another widely discussed entrance at the Australian Open earlier this year, when Osaka arrived wearing a dramatic jellyfish-inspired outfit featuring flowing white fabric, a wide-brimmed hat with a face veil, an umbrella draped over her shoulder and tentacle-like detailing. Osaka later told Vogue that the Australian Open look had been inspired by a jellyfish image that fascinated her two-year-old daughter. At Indian Wells earlier this season, Osaka also drew attention after appearing with tribal-inspired jewellery across her lips, ears and nose alongside a black mesh and cheetah-print Nike outfit. Earlier this month, the former world No. 1 also attended the Met Gala wearing a white feathered coat designed to resemble shedding skin before revealing a red crystal gown intended to mimic exposed muscle and sinew. Osaka has frequently spoken about using fashion as a form of personal expression, particularly because of her naturally quiet personality away from the court. On Saturday, before the French Open began, Osaka explained why clothing and design had become increasingly important to her identity. “I don’t talk a lot, so I can talk through my clothes,” Osaka said, according to Euronews. “That means I can be as loud with colours or patterns or fabric as I want. “But I think that’s the fun part. I feel like we lost that a little in tennis. “I know there are some kids or some people that are similar to me, that hopefully feel that same way about my outfits. But, yeah, I am a little dramatic when it comes to my fashion sense.”
Aryna Sabalenka and Annabel Croft praise Osaka’s confidence
Not everyone inside the tennis world shared Siegemund’s frustration regarding Osaka’s fashion choices. Watching Osaka’s entrance live on TNT Sports, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka praised the confidence behind the outfit reveal. “This is sparkling. I love it. I love that she is expressing herself and feels confident,” Sabalenka said. “That’s the beauty of the fashion world, there’s space for anything and I love that she’s bringing it on court.” Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft also suggested Osaka’s personality and confidence allow her to carry such elaborate outfits successfully during competition. “If you go out there in an extraordinary outfit, you’ve got to live up to that and have the confidence to play in it and give the crowd the tennis as well as the outfit,” Croft said on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra. “Naomi can handle it. She really loves it and she’s not fazed by it.”
Osaka backs up fashion statement with straight-sets victory
Despite the growing attention surrounding her entrance outfit, Osaka produced a composed performance on court to secure her place in the second round. The Japanese star fired 15 winners during the victory and controlled most of the opening set before facing stronger resistance from Siegemund in the second. The German opened a 5-3 lead and held a set point that could have forced a deciding set, but Osaka recovered to force a tie-break before completing the win in straight sets. Osaka will now face world No. 72 Donna Vekic on Thursday in the second round at Roland Garros as she continues attempting to move beyond the third round in Paris for the first time in her career.
