Naomi Osaka turned heads at the 2026 Australian Open with a bold jellyfish-inspired outfit during her first-round match. The Japanese star defeated Antonia Ruzic 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to advance to the second round. The ensemble draws from her daughter Shai's fascination with jellyfish and a memorable butterfly moment from her 2021 title run.
On Tuesday, January 21, 2026, Naomi Osaka made a striking entrance at Rod Laver Arena for her first-round match at the Australian Open, carrying a white parasol, wide-brimmed hat, and long gauzy veil, paired with a sleeveless turquoise dress over pleated white trousers in a jellyfish-inspired look. The outfit quickly went viral on social media, highlighting her unique style.
Osaka, who grew up in the United States but attributes her fashion interest to a visit to Japan at age 13, described herself as "a little strange" but unapologetic. She drew inspiration from style icons like Venus and Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, whom she calls the "G.O.A.T.s of style." "I think it all comes down to personality, too," she said.
Designed in collaboration with Nike over months of planning, the ensemble features butterfly motifs nodding to a 2021 third-round moment when one landed on her leg during her title run. It also pays tribute to her daughter Shai's love for jellyfish. "So, the inspiration was obviously the jellyfish, then butterflies, which kind of ties back to the butterfly moment I had here a long time ago, in 2021," Osaka explained.
Despite a labored victory over qualifier Antonia Ruzic 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, Osaka advanced, joking post-match: "Keep your head on the path. If she beats you, then that’s unfortunate. But, hey, at least you’re trending."
The four-time Grand Slam champion, with Australian Open titles in 2019 and 2021, faces Sorana Cirstea next after her U.S. Open semifinal run last year boosted her confidence. The entrance serendipitously matched the remodeled player tunnel's coastal themes. "Honestly it came together quite beautifully... the theme was water. Really amazing coincidence," she noted.
