From Met Gala to the Rome clay: Naomi Osaka redefines the modern tennis star
· The South African
World No 16 Naomi Osaka marked her seventh appearance at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Friday, battling past Germany’s Eva Lys 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, in a hard-fought three-set contest.
But while her tennis continues to build momentum on clay, it is Osaka’s off-court presence, particularly her growing influence in the fashion world, that has captured global attention in recent weeks.
Visit biznow.biz for more information.
Rare dual identity
It was a subject she passionately spoke about at her post-match press conference.
The four‑time Grand Slam champion has carved out a rare dual identity in sport, seamlessly navigating the worlds of elite tennis and high fashion.
She has achieved what many of her peers have struggled with: finding balance on and off the court.
Her trend‑setting approach has been visible all season, starting with the headline‑grabbing “jellyfish” dress she wore during her Australian Open entrance to her appearance at the Met Gala earlier this month – an event she fondly describes as “the Grand Slam for all fashion.”
The 28-year-old’s clay‑court campaign began in Madrid, where she reached the fourth round before falling to Aryna Sabalenka on 27 April.
Just seven days later, she was in New York walking the Met Gala red carpet, before swiftly returning to Europe to resume her season in Rome.
Escape ‘worth the distraction’
The rapid shift between continents, time zones and commitments might overwhelm most athletes, but Osaka brushed off the logistical chaos, with her inimitable style of humour, honesty and nostalgia.
Naomi Osaka felt the escape was worth the disruption: “It’s just a really fun thing. I really love fashion.”
It is evident that the variety of mixing both worlds, and embracing parts of her identity that exist beyond tennis brings Osaka much happiness.
Her return to the court in Rome has been buoyed by a new vigour, momentum and confidence she built in Madrid and the support of her team, including hitting partner Matias Zukas, who stepped into a coaching role while coach Tomasz Wiktorowski was away for personal reasons.
Osaka credited that continuity for helping her settle quickly into Rome’s conditions.
The Japanese fashionista described this year’s Met Gala as “intense,” but also exhilarating.
Physically demanding
Her dramatic two‑part ensemble – a sculptural white outer dress with exaggerated shoulders, red gloves and a matching hat, which she removed to reveal a blood‑red fishtail gown dominated global fashion coverage.
The inspiration behind the outfit was to honour the human anatomy, and was designed by Robert Wun, the same designer behind her viral Australian Open ‘jellyfish’ dress this year.
Naomi Osaka revealed that the outfit was physically demanding.
‘It felt like wearing a 20‑pound vest,” she said.
“I kept telling myself to have good posture because tennis players sometimes hunch over a lot.”
Even for a world‑class athlete, descending the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s iconic staircase became a test of balance and strength.
Reshaped her public identity
Osaka’s passion for fashion has reshaped her public identity.
She has used clothing not only as a form of self‑expression but also as a platform for activism.
This was most memorably displayed during her 2020 US Open campaign, where she wore a different mask each match to honour victims of racial injustice, marking a powerful intersection of sport and social commentary.
She has also in the past drawn inspiration from her Japanese heritage, incorporating cultural motifs into past outfits and challenging tennis’s traditionally conservative aesthetic.
Her style choices consistently spark conversation, influence trends and broaden the sport’s cultural reach.
The Met Gala draws global attention, with this year’s featuring a strong tennis presence, thanks to Venus Williams serving as a co‑chair and Serena Williams also in attendance.
For Osaka, having a rare opportunity to reconnect with the sisters away from the court was both comforting and bittersweet.
“I feel sad sometimes, like being on‑site,” she admitted.
“I grew up with them, so I’d love to see them more.”
Candid acknowledgement
It was a rare, candid acknowledgment of how deeply the Williams sisters shaped her sense of belonging in the sport, and how their absence from the tour still resonates.
Osaka’s ability to balance her vocation with her passions has become one of her defining strengths.
She remains committed to rebuilding her game on clay, yet she continues to expand her influence far beyond the baseline.
Her presence on tour is a reminder that modern athletes can be multidimensional: competitors, creators and cultural figures, without compromising excellence in any arena.
Right now, Naomi Osaka is proving she can do all of it at once.
Amisha Savani is reporting exclusively for The South African from the Internazionali BNL d’Italia at the Foro Italico, Rome