Naomi Osaka accused of ‘disrespecting tennis’ after what she did at the Australian Open | Tennis | Sport

The Japanese star, 28, stepped out on Rod Laver Arena in the green and white patterned dress, accompanied by a hat, veil and an umbrella. It later emergerd that Osaka had collaborated with Nike and London-based fashion designer Robert Wun to create the stunning look, which she came up with after reading a book that included jellyfish to her two-year-old daughter. She explained: “Nike let me design this one. It’s modelled after a jellyfish. I’m just so grateful I get to be able to do the things I love. It’s really beautiful.”

Osaka, who went on to secure a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 win over Ruzic on Tuesday, was lauded by world No. 3 Coco Gauff for “bringing new eyes to the sport” thanks to her fashion. However, she was also criticised in brutal fashion by tennis star Jamie Murray and social media personality Eliza Wastcoat.

Murray began by saying on BBC 5 Live Sport: “It was like Mary Poppins on… I don’t know what she was on but she’s on something. For me, I was just like, ‘What are you doing?’”

Eliza added: “I would agree with Jamie that, for me, I felt like there was an element of disrespect towards the sport of tennis not walking onto the court with your racquets and creating such a show in front of your opponent in a first round, requesting a night match… the reason being to show off your outfit.

“It just takes away from the show which is the tennis and what we’re all here to enjoy. I know she finds joy in fashion but for me, there’s such a rich history between tennis and fashion and there’s so many other elements of it that we could have weaved into an outfit like this and paid respect to.”

When asked whether she liked it as a fashion piece, Eliza replied: “No, I didn’t. Ijt kind of looked a bit cheap and a little bit tacky. I don’t think it belonged on a red carpet like a Met Gala and I don’t think it belonged here.”

Osaka has since defended her own unique wardrobe decision, writing on Threads: “There’s a demographic that’s been talking about ‘traditional’ tennis outfits and calling me classless for what I wear. To be honest, I see it for what it is. I don’t do this for them though – they will never get it and I don’t want them to. I do this for the people that are like me.”