Naomi Osaka made a fashion statement in her first match at the U.S. Open in two years — and then she proceeded to dominate on the court.
The four-time major champion took to the Louis Armstrong Stadium court wearing a green dress featuring a small shiny bow that rested on four tiers of ruffles. It was part of her Ambush collection designed by Yoon Ahn, who co-founded the Tokyo label Ambush in 2008 and began collaborating with Nike in 2018. Osaka, the 2018 and 2020 U.S. Open champion, also has a black version of the dress for night matches.
She then proceeded to dominate former French Open champion and No. 10 seed Jelena Ostapenko, 6-3, 6-2, to advance to the second round. It was her first Top-10 win since January 2020, and it came against a player who beat world No. 1 Iga Swiatek before losing to eventual champion Coco Gauff at the Open last year.
Osaka banged out nine aces and 19 winners against only five unforced errors. She won 39 of her 50 service points and was not broken. She closed the match out with a sharply angled forehand winner into the open court.
“If she serves the way she did and hits the way she did, she can beat anyone,” ESPN’s Mary Joe Fernandez said on air.
Osaka, 26, stepped away from the game last year while on maternity leave. In her return in 2024, she is 18-15 and is ranked No. 85 in the world, despite only two victories in the year’s previous three Grand Slams.
Still, she remains the third-highest paid female tennis player in the world, behind only Gauff and Swiatek, per Forbes.
She said her daughter Shai keeps her busy even during the Open.
“Last night my daughter didn’t want to go to sleep on her bed time, so I had to hold her for a quite a while and I was like, ‘Oh wow, she really picked the perfect day not to go to sleep,’” Osaka told ESPN’s Pam Shriver on court.
“Moments like that are so precious to me, I only hope I can keep having more.”
Osaka was in the stands last year watching Gauff win the title at 19. That motivated her to make a comeback.
Naomi Osaka made a memorable return to the U.S. Open after a two-year hiatus, and she did it in style. The four-time Grand Slam champion not only turned heads with her fashion choice but also delivered a commanding performance on the court. Her comeback has been a much-anticipated event in the tennis world, and she did not disappoint.
As Osaka stepped onto the Louis Armstrong Stadium court, she was a vision of elegance and modern style. She wore a striking green dress from her Ambush collection, designed by Yoon Ahn, the co-founder of the Tokyo-based label Ambush. The dress featured a small, shiny bow resting delicately on four tiers of ruffles, blending femininity with a contemporary edge. Yoon Ahn, known for her innovative designs, has been collaborating with Nike since 2018, and her partnership with Osaka has brought a fresh, avant-garde look to the tennis court.
The green dress, however, is not the only piece Osaka plans to showcase. She also has a sleek black version of the dress, reserved for her night matches, ensuring that her style remains as dynamic as her game. Osaka’s choice to debut her Ambush collection at the U.S. Open speaks volumes about her confidence and her desire to make a statement both on and off the court.
Osaka’s fashion statement was matched by her performance. She faced off against Jelena Ostapenko, a former French Open champion and the No. 10 seed, and delivered a masterclass in power and precision. The match ended with a decisive 6-3, 6-2 victory for Osaka, marking her first Top-10 win since January 2020. This victory was particularly significant as Ostapenko had recently defeated world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, showcasing the level of competition Osaka was up against.
Throughout the match, Osaka’s serve was a weapon of choice. She fired nine aces and hit 19 winners, all while committing only five unforced errors. Her serve was virtually unbreakable, winning 39 of her 50 service points, and she did not face a single break point. Osaka closed out the match with a sharply angled forehand winner, a shot that left no doubt about her dominance on the court.
ESPN’s Mary Joe Fernandez summed up Osaka’s performance perfectly: “If she serves the way she did and hits the way she did, she can beat anyone.” This statement reflects the high level of play Osaka demonstrated, signaling to the tennis world that she is once again a force to be reckoned with.
At 26 years old, Osaka is not only a tennis star but also a new mother. She took a break from the sport last year to welcome her daughter, Shai, into the world. Her return to professional tennis in 2024 has been met with both excitement and challenges. While her current ranking is No. 85 in the world, she has shown flashes of the brilliance that made her a four-time Grand Slam champion.
Despite her relatively low ranking, Osaka remains one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world. According to Forbes, she ranks third, behind only Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek. Her earnings are a testament to her marketability and the lasting impact she has had on the sport.
Osaka’s journey back to the top is not without its challenges, especially as she navigates the demands of motherhood. In an interview with ESPN’s Pam Shriver, Osaka shared a glimpse of her life off the court. “Last night my daughter didn’t want to go to sleep on her bedtime, so I had to hold her for quite a while, and I was like, ‘Oh wow, she really picked the perfect day not to go to sleep,’” Osaka recounted with a smile. These moments, she said, are precious to her, and she cherishes the balance between being a mother and a professional athlete.
Osaka’s motivation to return to the U.S. Open was partly fueled by witnessing Coco Gauff’s triumph last year. As she watched from the stands, she saw Gauff, then 19 years old, capture the title in a stunning display of talent and determination. This moment inspired Osaka to make her comeback, determined to once again compete at the highest level.
Now, with her first match behind her and a victory under her belt, Osaka is looking ahead with renewed focus and determination. Her performance in this match has sent a clear message: Naomi Osaka is back, and she is ready to reclaim her place among the tennis elite.
As the U.S. Open progresses, all eyes will be on Osaka. Her blend of style, power, and grace, both on and off the court, ensures that she remains one of the most captivating figures in the sport. Whether it’s her next match or her next fashion statement, the world will be watching to see what Naomi Osaka does next.