Naomi Osaka made a dazzling return to the U.S. Open stage, stepping onto the court with sparkly red roses woven into her ponytail, a vibrant red outfit, and a matching Labubu plush she affectionately named Billie Jean Bling. The visual flair was unmistakable, capturing the energy of a New York night match and setting the tone for a confident performance.
Victory in Style
Beyond the fashion statement, Osaka delivered a strong showing on the court. The No. 23 seed from Japan defeated Belgium’s Greet Minnen in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. Her game was sharp, her movement fluid, and her focus unwavering—an encouraging start for the two-time U.S. Open champion.
Crafting the Look
Osaka revealed that her outfit, particularly the crystalized Nike bubble hem skirt, had been in the works for quite some time. The intricate design posed challenges, especially with the delicate crystal detailing on a performance garment. She expressed excitement about debuting the look under the stadium lights, calling it her designated night outfit.
The Rose Ponytail Idea
The idea for the rose-adorned ponytail came together more recently. Osaka consulted her stylist just weeks before the match, floating the concept and exploring its feasibility. The collaboration led to a striking result that exceeded her expectations, even if it wasn’t practical for play.
“I was like, ‘Do you think this is possible?’ Maybe it was two weeks ago,” Osaka said. “Yeah, we kind of just toss ideas around. Obviously the outcome is way better than I could have imagined.”
“I did always know I was going to take the hair off, because it is really heavy,” Osaka added. “There were a couple of times that I played in braids, and even that was kind of borderline. So yeah, I just did it for the presentation.”
Presentation Over Performance
While the roses made a bold impression, Osaka knew they wouldn’t last through the match. She removed the accessory before stepping into competition, citing its weight and the discomfort it could cause during play. Having previously experimented with braids, she understood the limits of style on the court and chose presentation for the entrance, performance for the match.
Osaka at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2025
Now the world no.24, Osaka owns an overall 28-12 record in 2025. The Japanese is participating at the U.S. Open where she toppled the world no.106 Greetje Minnen 6-3 6-4.
Naomi Osaka will come up against the world no.47 Hailey Baptiste in the 2nd round. The head to head is 2-0 for Osaka.
The Japanese conquered 1 title in 2025 in the Malo. Osaka got to the final in Auckland (ASB Classic) and in Montreal (Omnium Banque Nationale).
Osaka won 7 titles in her career: all of them conquered on hard courts. (See the list of her titles)