Osaka: "I like to do things that bring me joy"

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Naomi Osaka will never change. Within that shyness that is seen off the court, and even on it, she contrasts with her fashion sense and her tendency to always be in style. She showed this in her debut at the 2026 Australian Open, where she surprised everyone with an 'outfit' inspired by the sea and butterflies, topped off with a hat that resembled a jellyfish.

However, when the battle began on Rod Laver, and as social media buzzed about her dress, she faced off against Antonia Ruzic, who gave her a hard time, even taking a break lead in the third set, ultimately demanding her to secure her first win in this 2026 Australian Open by 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

Most of the questions in the post-match press conference focused on her dress, where Osaka once again highlighted her passion for fashion as a way to express herself, while also addressing the challenges presented by Ruzic.

Naomi Osaka and the reasons behind her unconventional dress at the Australian Open

"The main inspiration was jellyfish and then butterflies, which connect to that moment with the butterflies I experienced here in 2021. Everything just fell into place very naturally. When I arrived, I didn't know what to expect, but everything had a very aquatic theme: the tunnel, the ocean images, the waves. It was a beautiful coincidence."

"I think I'm a bit weird because it doesn't affect me too much. I like to do things that bring me joy. I love fashion, and that motivates me from the moment I wake up. It adds a touch of excitement to preparing for the match. I don't think that losing while wearing this outfit would be a disaster. The only thing I really consider is my hair, because sometimes I don't see well depending on how I style it."

Antonia Ruzic made it tough for her in her debut

"It was very challenging, especially because it was a first round and I had never played against her. Still, I don't think I played poorly. It was a good match, and I'm happy my serve helped me make the difference in the end."

About the way she turned around being a break down at the start of the third set

"I thought my level was good. If she played better throughout the match, then she deserved to win. I was doing everything I could. I tried to change things up a bit, play more towards her forehand, be more solid, and accelerate when I had the opportunity. And in the end, my serve showed up at the crucial moment."

Encouraging more fashion experimentation among female players

"I grew up watching true style icons like Serena, Venus, Sharapova, and also Bethanie Mattek-Sands. But it all depends on the personality. I don't expect a very reserved person to come out playing with a veil. Still, I always like to see small details of personality and am curious to see what will come next."

The beginning of her passion for fashion

"I'm a Libra. When I was 13, I went to Japan and visited Harajuku. There, I felt that people could express themselves freely with clothing. On the court, I'm not the quiet Naomi you see now. It's like I transform. Then, when I return to the locker room, I go back to my calmer self."

She wasn't afraid of losing after her strong start on court

"You have aspirations, but there are things you don't control. I've learned that if I have that fear, it usually comes true. Today I kept telling myself: stay your course. If you lose, it's a shame, but at least you're trending on social media. Sportingly, I knew it was going to be a tough match. She came with good results, and I expected something like this, a three-set battle. She's young, had nothing to lose, and that always complicates things."

"I was a bit stubborn insisting on certain patterns, but when I changed in the final games, everything became easier. I hope I've learned from this match because exchanging backhands was even fun. Now I have another demanding match ahead. I've seen my next opponent play, and she's at a good level. It will be an interesting encounter," concludes Naomi Osaka, who once again left no one indifferent.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Osaka: "A mí me gusta hacer cosas que me generen alegría"