Jellyfish, butterflies, and joy: How Naomi Osaka blends motherhood and style into her 2026 identity
When Naomi Osaka emerged from the tunnels of Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday night, she didn’t just walk onto a tennis court; she stepped into a living installation. Carrying a white parasol, her face obscured by a wide-brimmed hat and a trailing veil, the 28-year-old looked less like a 16th-seeded competitor and more like a … Continued
Naomi Osaka, Australian Open 2025 | © PsNewz
When Naomi Osaka emerged from the tunnels of Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday night, she didn’t just walk onto a tennis court; she stepped into a living installation. Carrying a white parasol, her face obscured by a wide-brimmed hat and a trailing veil, the 28-year-old looked less like a 16th-seeded competitor and more like a high-fashion spectral presence. The outfit, a collaboration between Nike and couture logic, was modeled after a jellyfish.
For Osaka, this “jellyfish” moment is the latest chapter in a career that has redefined what it means to be a modern athlete. To understand the gravity of the dress, one must first look at the heavy silver she has already collected. Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam champion, having conquered the US Open in 2018 and 2020, and the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021. In 2019, she became the first Asian player to reach the world No. 1 ranking, a milestone that cemented her place in the history books long before her 25th birthday.
“Nike let me design this one”
However, Osaka’s status as a cultural icon extends far beyond her trophy cabinet. She is a pioneer of the “athlete-activist” model, famously wearing seven masks honoring victims of racial injustice during her 2020 US Open title run. In 2021, her decision to prioritize her mental health over media obligations sparked a global conversation that transformed how professional sports handle player well-being. This influence is reflected in her massive digital footprint: she commands a following of over 3.3 million on Instagram and 1.1 million on X, and for years she has reigned as the world’s highest-paid female athlete, outearning icons like Serena Williams at her peak.
The inspiration for Tuesday’s “iconic” look was deeply personal. “Nike let me design this one,” Osaka told reporters. “It’s modeled after a jellyfish. I’m so grateful that I get to do the things that I love.” But the look also served as a bridge to her past glory. Adorning the hat and umbrella were butterflies—a poignant nod to her 2021 Australian Open title, where a stray butterfly famously landed on her face mid-match.7 “It has to do with the Australian Open I won in 2021, which I guess is a long time ago,” she reflected.
The “extra-ness” of the entrance – which some fans playfully compared to a Young Thug reference – sparked immediate debate. Boris Becker, speaking on TNT Sports, described the entrance as a “contradiction,” questioning why an athlete who has historically sought privacy would choose the most conspicuous outfit in tournament history.
Osaka : “It just creates a little bit more joy in that whole match preparation”
Osaka, however, views the psychology of her fashion as armor, not a burden. “Honestly, I realize I’m a little strange because I don’t really think I care,” she said. “I just feel like I want to do things that create joy and happiness. For me, I really love fashion… It just creates a little bit more joy in that whole match preparation.” She described her on-court persona as a “Barbie” that dresses up to compete, allowing her to separate the public warrior from her “true quiet Naomi” in the locker room.
On the court, the “jellyfish” had to sting. Down a break in the third set against the spirited Antonia Ruzic, Osaka proved that her championship pedigree remains intact. She clawed back to win 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, showing the grit that won her four majors. As she prepares to face Sorana Cirstea in the round of 64, it is clear that while her look may be ethereal, her baseline game is anchored in iron-willed reality.
