Naomi Osaka arrived on the court at the 2026 Australian Open in a custom Nike outfit designed by herself, inspired by a jellyfish with a butterfly nod to her 2021 win.
Before a single ball was struck inside Rod Laver Arena, the two-time champion had already delivered one of the tournament’s most unforgettable moments.
Dressed in a white veil draped over a wide-brimmed hat, holding a matching umbrella, Naomi Osaka moved slowly through the player tunnel with her head bowed. The visual was deliberate and theatrical with soft, ceremonial, almost bridal steps through the tunnel. The look evoked tradition and reverence, with some fans likening it to a modern geisha silhouette, others calling it a “jellyfish bride.”
The accessories were part of a coordinated walk-on look designed to complement her latest Nike signature kit, and once the buildup ended, Osaka peeled away the layers. What remained was a blue and green jellyfish-inspired dress that shimmered under the arena lights, sculpted yet fluid, futuristic without losing elegance.
The white butterflies featured on the hat and umbrella immediately sparked conversation, with fans recalling the viral moment from the 2021 Australian Open when a butterfly landed on Osaka’s face mid-match.
Facing Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic, ranked No. 65, Naomi Osaka wasted no time proving the spectacle wasn’t a distraction. She broke serve early and controlled the first set, taking it 6-3 with confidence and clarity. The second set flipped the script. Ruzic found her rhythm, while a bizarre technical interruption halted play for nearly ten minutes as malfunctioning red net lights refused to switch off. The momentum shifted, and Ruzic claimed the set, forcing a deciding third.
Still, Osaka remained composed. This is a player who has learned to live under the microscope. A global star who has stayed among the world’s highest-paid athletes even through periods away from the winner’s circle. A potential second-round clash with Sorana Cirstea looms, with world No. 2 Iga Swiatek projected in the fourth round.
Seeded No. 16, the former champion enters Melbourne carrying both expectation and freedom. Naomi Osaka has already won here in 2019 and 2021.
