Naomi Osaka wore a custom all-white kimono and matching tennis dress to open her Wimbledon campaign on June 29. The outfit paid tribute to her Japanese heritage while complying with the tournament's all-white dress code.
Osaka collaborated with designer Hana Yagi on the look, which featured a kimono with cherry blossom patterns and embroidered cranes. She paired it with a Nike Dri-FIT dress inspired by the Japanese art of kirigami, complete with seven attached flowers and custom pleats.
The 27-year-old said the choice reflected her cultural background. "To me, my Japanese heritage means a lot," Osaka stated after the match. "They said all white at Wimbledon, and I thought it'd be really cute to come out in a kimono."
Osaka defeated Elsa Jacquemot 6-1, 7-5 in the first round. Fans praised the ensemble on social media, calling it a creative fashion statement that connected viewers to her story.
She has worn similarly themed outfits at the Australian Open and French Open this year, drawing inspiration from pop culture including the film Kill Bill.
