Two-time champion Naomi Osaka stole the show on her return to the Australian Open with a spectacular walk-on outfit that left on-lookers “speechless” – before she was given a mighty scare by tournament debutant Antonia Ruzic.
Former world No 1 Osaka, who is known for her bespoke costume designs, arrived onto the court at the Rod Laver Arena with her face covered by a wide-brimmed hat and billowing white veil, while holding a matching parasol. Osaka said the design was inspired by a jellyfish and butterflies, with the Japanese star completing the look with flared trousers, which she then removed before her warm-up, before revealing another pre-match jacket, this one featuring a vibrant tasseled trim.
At first, Osaka’s first-round opponent, the Croatian Ruzic, ranked 65th in the world, appeared overawed by Osaka’s grand entrance at the pre-match coin toss, with her own arrival onto the court completely overshadowed by Osaka’s reveal. Ruzic, who was making just her second grand slam main draw appearance in Australia, had emerged wearing a simple sports t-shirt and shorts, while Osaka was making a fashion statement that turned the Rod Laver Arena into a cat-walk.
“It’s a vibe,” said Laura Robson, the former British No 1. “I love it, this is a moment.”
Also speaking on TNT Sports was Tim Henman, who said he was “not qualified to comment”.
But he added: “Wow, I am speechless. It’s pretty cool. Does it put pressure on your performance?”
Osaka began by letting her tennis do the talking as she took the first three games of the match – but the match began to turn as Ruzic broke back. Although Osaka won the first set 6-3, Ruzic’s baseline defence and gritty determination started to frustrate the 16th seed, with the Croatian levelling the match by winning the second set 6-3, which followed lengthy delay when the red ‘out’ lights on the side of the net malfunctioned.
Osaka had two break points to establish a 3-0 lead in the third, but couldn’t take them. Instead, Ruzic, who was celebrating her 23rd birthday, ground down Osaka’s attacking game and secured the break to lead 4-3 in the decider. From there, Osaka battled from the brink, winning 12 of the next 15 points to break Ruzic’s resistance and seal victory in two hours and 22 minutes.
“She’s an amazing player,” Osaka said. “I’ve never played her before – so I hope to not see her on the other side of the set.”
Osaka reached the US Open semi-finals last season, in her best result since returning to the sport after becoming a mother to her daughter Shai in 2023. The 28-year-old told Vogue that the idea for her walk-on outfit, which was designed by couturier Robert Wun, who has previously styled Beyonce and Cardi B and Arianda Grande, had also been inspired when reading to her daughter. “There was an image of a jellyfish, and when I showed it to her, she got so excited,” Osaka said.
The outfit also featured two butterflies, one on the parasol and the other on top of her wide-brimmed hat, which was a reference to her 2021 Australian Open title run, the tournament where a butterfly landed on her face during one of her matches. Osaka carefully removed the butterfly and set it down by the side of the court, before going on to win the tournament for a second time.
“It’s to do with the Australian Open that I won in 2021, which I guess is a long time ago,” she said.
