Naomi Osaka wore a different outfit to walk onto Louis Armstrong at the US Open for a third time this tournament on Saturday night, but it did not go down well with fans at home.
Osaka has become known for her bold fashion choices at grand slams in recent years and her outfits in New York this week have been no different.
She stepped out in an all-white ensemble on Thursday, including a long overshirt featuring tennis rackets stitched into the design.
The long tail flowed behind her as she walked onto the court, tripping on the fabric beneath her feet as she walked to the net for the coin toss and to shake hands with her opponent.
The white for the day-time session was a complete contrast to Monday’s all-black skirt and tank top promo in the night session on Arthur Ashe.
But Saturday’s outfit was completely different again as the Japanese star wore a light-gray zip-up hoodie underneath a tailored gray plaid blazer. On the bottom, Osaka wore a very wide-leg, flowing pair of gray trousers.
Naomi Osaka wore a different outfit to walk onto court at the US Open for a third time
Tthe Japanese star wore a light-gray zip-up hoodie underneath a tailored gray plaid blazer
Osaka then wore an all-black Nike outfit to play in against Elise Mertens on Louis Armstrong
The look did not impress everybody, however, and fans took to social media to give their opinions.
‘Nobody cares, it’s a tennis court not Paris fashion week ffs,’ one commented.
Another posted: ‘She’s the only one that does this.’
A third responded: ‘Always cringe. My favorite tennis player is whoever is playing against Naomi Osaka.
One fan declared Osaka ‘looked like a clown’, while another insisted they were ‘so tired of this’.
The 13th-seeded Osaka progressed to the fourth round by defeating Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, in a match that lasted two hours, 38 minutes.
The two-time champion put her head on her racket after the final point, stunned at herself at the victory.
‘Honestly, I can´t believe I won this match,’ Osaka said. ‘I´m literally shocked that I won this match.’
Osaka was down 4-2 in the third set and apologized for expressing so much frustration throughout a tough night.
‘There was a certain point, I don´t know, I felt like I put my entire heart on the court and then I just kept trying every single point,’ Osaka said.
‘I didn´t feel like I played amazing, and it was really getting me down. I was very negative on myself.’
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The 13th-seeded Osaka progressed to the fourth round by defeating Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5
Earlier in the week, Naomi Osaka was forced to wait until the chair umpire had chided a group of spectators in one of Arthur Ashe’s hospitality suites.
‘Guys, please, in the suite behind me, please thank you guys, please take your seat,’ the chair umpire announced to the stadium, as the broadcast camera panned to a group milling freely within their prime seats, taking pictures and talking.
Elsewhere in the stands, another spectator was heard calling out: ‘The players are ready!’
When the stadium had stilled somewhat, Osaka returned to her serve but struggled with her ball toss, apologizing as she reset.
Footage captured from another spectator of the group on social media later showed them posing as a group, allegedly during a game, with a person who appeared to be a member of US Open staff holding up a portable light to help them capture the shot.
The social media clip showed another spectator on the same evening posing in front of the court with a portable light, also allegedly during live matchplay.
When contacted by Daily Mail Sport for comment on the incident, Brendan McIntyre, head of US Open communications, said: ‘We want our fans and guests to have an incredible time when they attend the US Open, but we also need to ensure that does not interfere with the action and competition on the court.
‘These instances happen infrequently, and similar to when crowd noise reaches a certain level, our chair umpires have the ability to address the crowd when they occur.’
