Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, publicly rejected criticism of her pre-match outfits during the U.S. Open after her Round of 16 loss to Elena Rybakina. Osaka posted a statement on Instagram Threads addressing the backlash, emphasizing her indifference to detractors while asserting her personal and cultural identity.
Osaka’s statement and tournament outcome
Osaka’s campaign at the U.S. Open concluded on September 2, 2024, when she lost 6-2, 6-4 to second-seed Elena Rybakina in the Round of 16. Throughout the tournament, Osaka wore multiple custom-designed outfits, including a short-sleeved hoodie with red and black arm sleeves, a full-length skirt, and a headband, which sparked widespread debate on social media. Following her defeat, she addressed the criticism directly.
In a post on Instagram Threads, Osaka wrote: “You know… idgaf [I don’t give a f---] if you don’t like me. I don’t mind being the first to do something and getting trashed for it. This happened when I talked about mental health and for some reason it’s happening with my clothes lol. I’m literally Haitian—it’s in my blood to be this way, as long as the people after me have an easier path it’s worth it.” She also stated: “I refuse to be confined by the box you attempt to put me in.”
Outfit designs and cultural nods
Osaka’s outfits drew attention for their bold, unconventional designs. Her first-round look included a hooded coat with faux-fur lining, while later ensembles featured NBA-inspired elements, including a tribute to Allen Iverson with a red and black headband. Iverson, a former NBA player, has no direct ties to New York City or Nike sponsorship during his career, which some observers noted as an unusual choice for a U.S. Open setting.
Osaka, who was born in Osaka, Japan, and competes under the Japanese flag, has Haitian heritage through her father, Leonard Francois, from Jacmel, Haiti. Her family moved to Long Island, New York, when she was three years old. She has previously spoken about the significance of her cultural background in shaping her identity and public persona.
Reactions and social media response
The outfits sparked a mix of praise and criticism online. Some viewers celebrated the creativity and boldness of the designs, while others argued that the fashion choices detracted from her tennis performance. Following her loss, social media users mocked her final outfit, with some calling it overly extravagant. Osaka’s response framed the criticism as part of a broader pattern, referencing past backlash over her mental health advocacy in 2021.
Osaka has a history of using her platform to address social issues, including mental health awareness and racial justice. Her 2020 U.S. Open campaign, where she wore masks bearing the names of Black victims of police violence, also drew significant attention and debate.