Osaka makes grand entrance, big fashion statement at Aussie Open

The Associated Press ·
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 20: Naomi Osaka of Japan walks out ahead of the Women's Singles First Round match against Antonia Ruzic of Croatia on day three of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
Quinn Rooney / Getty Images Sport / Getty

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Naomi Osaka made a fashion statement and quite an entrance to the Australian Open, wearing a wide-brim hat, veil and holding a white parasol as she walked onto Rod Laver Arena for her first-round match on Tuesday.

The No. 16-seeded Osaka has won two of her four Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open.

She was playing No. 65-ranked Antonia Ruzic of Croatia in the last match of Day 3 on the main show court at Melbourne Park.

Osaka needed three sets and over two hours to eventually claim a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 victory and advance to the next round.

In social media posts, the women's tour said Osaka's arrival was an iconic “diva-worthy” entrance, and described the hat as being “decorated with a butterfly and worn low over the eyes à la Beyoncé in the singer’s ‘Formation’ video.”

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More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

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