Naomi Osaka has always understood the power of an entrance. At the 2026 Australian Open, the four-time Grand Slam champion turned that instinct into something deeply personal, stepping onto Rod Laver Arena in a custom jellyfish-inspired look that blended high fashion, symbolism, and motherhood into a single, unforgettable moment.
Designed in collaboration with Nike and couture designer Robert Wun, Osaka’s walk-on outfit was more than a style statement. It was a visual story about transformation, resilience, and the quiet strength that defines this chapter of her life, both on and off the court.
The inspiration came from an unexpected place. A children’s book. Osaka revealed that while reading to her 2-year-old daughter, Shai, she lingered on an image of a jellyfish.
© ABACAPRESS“There was an image of a jellyfish, and when I showed it to her she got so excited,” she told Vogue. The moment stayed with her, evolving into the emotional foundation of her Australian Open look.
Fragile yet powerful, the jellyfish became a metaphor Osaka connected to her own journey, returning to the sport after motherhood, redefining herself, and embracing change rather than resisting it.
Osaka has long used fashion as a way to express autonomy, and this moment was no exception. “When I look back at the players who came before me, I think about how those moments—those looks—have become memories that live forever,” she told Vogue.
© ABACAPRESS“So much of the time, other people get to write our stories for us. This felt like a moment where I could write a little bit of my own," she added. Nike gave Osaka significant creative freedom, allowing the look to feel closer to wearable art than standard tennis attire.
The final design featured oceanic shades of blue and green, sheer layers that moved fluidly with her body, ruffled textures, and crystal embellishments that shimmered under the stadium lights.
“It translated beautifully into the movement and fluidity of the sheer layers on the dress and the jacket,” Osaka said. “When I saw it during the fitting, I remember thinking, ‘this is beautiful,’ but also feeling like the story wasn’t fully finished yet.”
© ABACAPRESSTo complete the vision, Osaka and her longtime collaborator Marty Harper enlisted Robert Wun, known for his sculptural, otherworldly designs worn by Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, and Cardi B.
“We were both instantly drawn to his shapes, his textures, the way his work moves. It all lived in the same world we were imagining,” Osaka explained.
Wun, a self-described “huge tennis fan,” said the collaboration felt natural from the start. “Naomi and Martin came into it with a great understanding of what my world already looks like,” he told Vogue. “As a fan, I already understood her as an athlete, but being able to share this creative moment has been incredibly special.”
© AAPThe oceanic theme felt almost serendipitous. The renovated player tunnel at Rod Laver Arena features coastal imagery inspired by Australian beaches, waves, water, and shoreline motifs that mirrored Osaka’s jellyfish aesthetic.
“Honestly it came together quite beautifully because I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived here,” she told Associated Press. “Then it just felt like everywhere I looked the theme was water… I thought that it was really beautiful. Really amazing coincidence.”
The most meaningful accessory:
The most emotional detail appeared above it all, an oversized wide-brim hat, draped with a gauzy veil and adorned with delicate butterflies. The motif referenced a viral moment from Osaka’s 2021 Australian Open title run, when a butterfly famously landed on her face mid-match.
“After we sent over our moodboards, Robert came back with a reference that really touched me: the butterfly moment from Australian Open 2021,” Osaka told Vogue.
© AAPWun later explained the significance behind revisiting that memory. “One of the looks from my fall 2024 collection was inspired by her moment at court, when a butterfly landed on her face mid-match. A simple, beautiful scene that went viral as she gently placed it aside,” he said. “I wanted to revisit that story and weave it into this design and collaboration.”
Together, the jellyfish and butterfly became symbols of metamorphosis, which is something Osaka described as “the birth of something new.” “It felt symbolic of energy, transformation, and excitement,” she said.
© Rachel Bach/ShutterstockThe bold entrance came with risk. Osaka was keenly aware that such a dramatic walk-on would invite scrutiny if the match didn’t go her way, but she delivered, closing out a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 first-round win over Antonia Ruzic.
“When I was playing today, I just told myself, like, ‘Keep your head on the path. If she beats you, then that’s unfortunate. But, hey, at least you’re trending,’” Osaka said afterward, according to the Associated Press.
Naomi's motherhood journey:
Osaka, now 28, has been candid about how becoming a mother reshaped her relationship with tennis. She welcomed daughter Shai with rapper Cordae in July 2023 and once believed that chapter might mark the end of her career.
“I was one of those people that thought when I had a kid I would stop playing tennis,” she told People in August 2025. Instead, motherhood renewed her motivation. “While I was pregnant, I was kind of very inspired,” she said. “I also wanted my daughter to be able to see me play tennis… she definitely inspired me to continue.”
