Naomi Osaka’s “Jellyfish” style meets 2021 nostalgia in gritty Australian Open opener
Naomi Osaka edged out Antonia Ruzic 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 on Tuesday. She’ll face Romanian Sorana Cirstea in the next round
Naomi Osaka, Australoian Open 2025 | © Wang Shen/Xinhua/SIPA
Naomi Osaka, the 16th seed and two-time champion, successfully navigated a treacherous opening round at the Australian Open on Tuesday, defeating Croatian youngster Antonia Ruzic 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
While the match was a masterclass in resilience, it was equally defined by Osaka’s return to “iconic” fashion—a jellyfish-inspired Nike ensemble that she personally helped design.
The contest was far from straightforward. Despite taking the first set comfortably, Osaka found herself in a genuine battle as the 22-year-old Ruzic played what appeared to be the match of her life.
By the third set, Osaka was down an early break, facing an opponent who refused to miss from the backhand wing. However, the four-time Grand Slam champion tapped into her championship pedigree, raising her intensity to break back and eventually overpower the Croat.
Osaka’s approach
Addressing her mindset during the third-set deficit, Osaka revealed a philosophical approach to the pressure. She noted that her level was good and that if her opponent played higher than her the entire time, she would deserve to win because she was doing the best she could. To problem-solve, she eventually shifted tactics by targeting Ruzic’s forehand more frequently and accelerating the ball when possible, aided by a “clutch” serving performance in the final games.
Off the court, Osaka’s entrance was the talk of Melbourne Park. Her outfit featured a theme modeled after a jellyfish, complemented by a hat and umbrella adorned with butterflies, a direct nod to her 2021 Australian Open title run, where a butterfly famously landed on her face during a match.
Osaka described the process of creating the look as a “huge team effort” where she and her team worked like kids in a studio. She compared her on-court persona to a Barbie that dresses up to compete, allowing her “true quiet Naomi” to remain in the locker room.
The world number 16 now moves into the second round to face Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea. It will be a meeting of two heavy hitters, with Osaka looking to maintain the momentum from her spectacular late-2025 form and her hard-court dominance.
