Osaka set to compete in style

Before Naomi Osaka conquered the tennis world and lifted four Grand Slam titles, she wasn’t the ice cool competitor we’re used to.

Osaka’s focused on-court persona is about steely looks, fist bumps and keeping razor sharp with side-to-side bounces. Plenty of "C’mon"s fire up the Japanese global superstar.

Teenage Naomi was a stark contrast.

“Honestly, I had a pretty bad attitude when I was younger, and my dad had a stern talk to me about it, and ever since then, I was, like, ‘Oh, oh, no,’” admitted the 28-year-old.

“He told me ‘You're putting energy into the wrong things.’ I wouldn't celebrate if I won, but I would be extremely down if I lost.

“Maybe I still do that sometimes, so that is why I try to be really pumped up and vocal. Just celebrate your wins more and try not to celebrate your losses.”

The former world No.1 ramped up her preparations for Roland-Garros with a last-16 spot in WTA 1000 events in Madrid and Rome.

➡️ Roland-Garros 2026 women's singles draw

“I feel like the clay season this year, it's been a little bit hard to judge for me,” the world No.16 said.

“I felt like I was playing well in Madrid, but then obviously I played [Aryna] Sabalenka and I lost there [6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2]. I felt like I had my chances, which was a good takeaway.

“Then we went into Rome… I thought I played my first two matches really well, and then Iga (Swiatek) said, ‘Hell, no!’ She slapped me in the ground. That was a little crazy.

“Honestly, that blew my confidence a lot, but I just had to step away, knowing that she's the best clay court player, and I still have a lot to learn. The score was wild (6-2, 6-1), but it was a little bit closer, there was a lot of deuce games or whatever.”

Remarkably, for someone with such raw power and success, Osaka is yet to reach the second week in Paris.

“I think a lot of people know me for being a really good hard-court player, and I hope that I can eventually start doing better on the other surfaces, too,” Osaka said.

“I talked with my coach Tomasz (Wiktorowski), and he said it's crazy I have only been to the third round here. Hopefully we can go further this year.”

After taking part in the ‘Gael & Friends’ night to celebrate the career of Gael Monfils – who Osaka has frequently hailed as the “GOAT” – it’s time to prepare for facing world No.46 Laura Siegemund.

Her tennis as well as her fashion will do the talking. For the walk-out, keep your eyes peeled for another showstopping outfit design.

“I feel like fashion, for me, I don't talk a lot, so that way I can talk through my clothes. That means I can be as loud with colours or patterns or fabric as I want,” the 28-year-old explained.

“I definitely would say I'm doing something here too. But I think that's the fun part. I feel like we lost that a little in tennis. I always tell people I grew up with [about] Serena's and Venus' grand reveals. I literally can look at a picture and probably tell you what year that outfit came from.

“I know there are some kids or some people that are similar to me that hopefully feel that same way about my outfits. I am a little dramatic when it comes to my fashion sense.”

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