Naomi Osaka captivated the Wimbledon Court 3 crowd during her highly anticipated debut on Monday, June 29. While adhering to the tournament’s strict all-white dress code, she turned heads in a stunning kimono-inspired ensemble that paid tribute to her Japanese heritage.
During the on-court interview after her win, she opened up about her ensemble and disclosed her inspiration.
Naomi Osaka Collaborates With Tokyo-Based Designer for Wimbledon Look
Osaka has been treating tennis fans to one show-stopping look after another at Grand Slams this year. At the Australian Open, she wore a jellyfish-inspired outfit, while at the French Open she was fascinated by the dazzling splendor of the Eiffel Tower lit up after dark.
On the freshly cut grass of Wimbledon, Osaka was welcomed by audible gasps and cheers from the spectators as she walked out in an embroidered kimono-style look inspired by Japanese ceremonial dress. She paired the outfit with a kanzashi (a Japanese ornamental hairpin) and Mikimoto jewelry.
After beating Elsa Jacquemot 6-1, 7-5, the World No. 14 said, “I find fashion to be really fun. You guys (the crowd) all look so beautiful, and I kind of want to come out in something, too.”
“My Japanese heritage means a lot. And they say all white at Wimbledon, and I thought it would be really cool to come out in a kimono.”
The kimono-inspired ensemble was created in collaboration with Tokyo-based designer Hana Yagi, while Nike designed her floral-detailed match outfit.
Shedding light on her personal inspiration, Naomi Osaka said, “One of my favorite movies is Kill Bill. I really love Lucy Liu’s character O-Ren Ishii, and she comes out in this iconic white kimono. I always tell people that I like to be a video game character sometimes. I don’t want to be myself when I’m playing on the court. I kind of tried to embody her a little.”
Osaka also reflected on her reserved personality off the court, which stands in stark contrast to her confident and bold persona during matches. The four-time Grand Slam champion added that stepping outside her comfort zone has become especially important to her lately.
“People don’t believe me when I say I’m shy, but for me it’s kind of like exposure therapy; you just do it,” she said. “I feel like I’m more outgoing since the start of the year. I think it’s good for me to try to get out of my shell a little.”
Naomi Osaka is her ✨ pic.twitter.com/UTJzt8ohU1
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 29, 2026
Osaka is enjoying a breakthrough grass season, having reached her first final on the surface last week in Bad Homburg. She now awaits the winner of Emiliana Arango vs. Anastasia Gasanova in the second round at Wimbledon.
