Naomi Osaka may be the one preparing to take over the court at the US Open, but her mom, Tamaki Osaka, is already making her own statement from the stands. The Japanese native was photographed watching her daughter practice at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Thursday, August 27, and she proved where the tennis pro gets her love of fashion.
© Getty ImagesTamaki looked invested watching her practice in a fitted red minidress with a matching red lip, long black gloves, oversized sunglasses and red earrings, finishing the look with Nike Air Max Plus “Swarovski - Sunset” sneakers.
© Getty ImagesThe fashion moment is fitting considering the four-time Grand Slam champion has spent the last few years turning her entrances into some of the most talked-about moments in tennis.
© HENRY NICHOLLSNaomi has been open about how much fashion means to her. “I like to use fashion as a medium for storytelling,” she told Vogue earlier this year after she wore an incredible custom look inspired by Japanese ceremonial dress. “Every walk-out is an opportunity to bring people into my creative world.”
© GettyShe has also credited her mom for influencing her love of beauty. In a 2019 Vogue interview, Naomi recalled watching Tamaki get ready for work and said she inherited her mother’s signature red lip. “I would always watch her putting on makeup before she went to work and then play with it after she left."
But Tamaki’s role in Naomi’s career goes far beyond style. She has been beside her daughter throughout her tennis journey, regularly sitting in her player’s box and supporting her through the biggest moments of her career.
© GeettyNaomi has previously said her mother worked “incredibly hard to support me and my passion for play” and encouraged her to embrace her diversity. Tamaki has spoken about those early years, too. After watching Serena and Venus Williams dominate the sport, she and Naomi’s father, Leonard François, saw tennis as a way to give their daughters a bigger future.
© Julian Finney“We were awestruck by Serena and Venus,” Tamaki said in a 2022 interview with Nippon, "Here were two black teenage sisters in a sport dominated by white players traveling the world, meeting different people, and experiencing new cultures. It was a life most girls their age could only fantasize about. I honestly felt that being a tennis player was a dream profession."
© GettyThat support has remained part of Naomi’s story as she heads into another US Open. She's ranked and seeded No. 13, with two US Open titles already under her belt after winning in 2018 and 2020.
What will Naomi wear to the US Open?
While she's been wearing normal outfits to practice, fans can't wait to see what she wears at the tournament. Her Wimbledon Japanese ceremonial dress and Kill Bill-inspired look were only the latest chapter in a season of fashion moments.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesFrom her jellyfish-inspired Australian Open look to her shimmering, Eiffel Tower-inspired dress at the French Open, she makes the court her runway.
© GettyBut not everyone appreciates the slay. Her French Open look sparked controversy after opponent Laura Siegemund criticized the elaborate entrances, telling TNT Sports, “I come here to play tennis, not to put on a fashion show.”
© GettyNaomi, however, wasn't about to let the criticism stop her. She explained that she enjoys the community that has formed around her outfits and said, “I like to keep people on their toes. I think it’s really fun.”
She also summed up exactly why she continues to do it: “Athletes are in show business. Grand Slam walk-ons are the only time that I possibly feel like I’m an entertainer.”
