Naomi Osaka Wears Sequined Gold Dress at French Open

Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka defeated German opponent Laura Siegemund 6-3, 7-6 (3) in her opening match at the French Open on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. Osaka entered the court wearing a ceremonial black skirt and sleeveless beaded bodice before removing the outer pieces to reveal a sequined gold playing dress.

She said the dress was designed by Nike and the outer pieces by Swiss couturier Kevin Germanier. "It's very couture," Osaka said after the match. "You know the Eiffel Tower at night when it's sparkly. U.S. Open and a jellyfish-inspired design with a wide-brim hat at the Australian Open earlier this year.

She stated that she uses fashion as a form of expression. "I don't talk a lot, so I can talk through my clothes," Osaka said on Saturday.

Some online comments praised the outfit while others criticized it as inappropriate for the sport. Osaka said she prepared backup dresses in case the sequins reflected sunlight and drew a code violation warning. Former British player Annabel Croft said many players would not feel comfortable wearing such outfits.

"If you go out there in an extraordinary outfit, you've got to live up to that and have the confidence to play in it," Croft said on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra. The Women's Tennis Association updated its dress code after 2018 to allow leggings and mid-thigh compression shorts without a skirt.