French Open: Naomi Osaka answers ‘fashion show’ jibe with another bold entrance at Roland-Garros | Tennis News
Former world number one Naomi Osaka re-entered the French Open on Thursday, but struggled to avoid the exit door with a 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 victory over Croatian Donna Vekic in the second round.
The No 16’s outfit in her first-round match attracted a lot of attention – but left her opponent feeling uneasy: Germany’s Laura Siegemund said she was “not here to show off the fashion” after crashing out of the tournament with a straight sets loss to the four-time Grand Slam champion.
Osaka wore a lace-embellished jacket blouse and black mesh train over her yellow-brown-and-gold match dress in the opening round, and despite criticism came to the contest with Vekic for a low-cut white open train over her dress.
“I like to keep people talking. I think it’s really fun,” Osaka said following her second-round victory.
“There is a society that I feel is built on my court clothes, so I like to guess you. I am very happy that you enjoy it.”
On another hot day in Paris, the Japanese player traded breaks freely with Vekic in the opening round at Court Simonne-Mathieu, before finding his best form in the break to win by just one point.
Osaka saved a break point in the second set to seal the victory in one hour and 50 minutes, reaching the third round for the first time since 2019.
She will face 16th seed Iva Jovic after the American beat compatriot Emma Navarro 6-0 6-3 earlier.
Earlier this year at the Australian Open, Osaka went wearing a wide hat, veil and carrying a white parasol.
And at last year’s US Open, she had glittering red roses in her ponytail in addition to her red dress and even a matching jumpsuit that she dubbed ‘Billie Jean Bling’.
So how did Osaka switch her focus from her perfect entrance to playing a tennis match minutes later?
“I’m used to it now,” she said. “The US Open, the roses in my hair, that’s when I really got into it. Obviously with Australia, that was the real start of the conversation. So I don’t really feel like it’s a big deal to do that and play behind.
“Athletes are in show business. Grand Slam walk-ons are the only time I feel like I’m having fun.”
‘I didn’t fear for my life’ – Osaka was in a car accident in Paris before winning the second round
Speaking after the match, Osaka also recounted the car accident he was involved in in Paris, when the bus swerved into the car he was traveling in.
“I wasn’t scared for my life, but I was saying: ‘Wow, this bus is really coming back at us’, and you could hear the car screeching. Yeah, it was a really interesting situation. So I hope it doesn’t happen again today.”
Osaka was also asked about reports that 23-time champion Serena Williams is coming out of retirement to play twice at Queen’s and return to Wimbledon, a tournament she has won seven times, next month.
“The breadth of it, I think it will bring people to watch tennis, which he always brings the audience with him. So, yes, I think it’s good”, said Osaka about the 44-year-old American.
“I feel like everyone knows that Serena and Venus (Williams) were my role models growing up, so it will be great to see her back on the court.”
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