Naomi Osaka secured her spot in the fourth round of the US Open on Saturday night, defeating Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in a hard-fought match. The victory, which lasted two hours and 38 minutes, left Osaka expressing surprise at her own win.
"Honestly, I can´t believe I won this match," Osaka said after the match. "I´m literally shocked that I won this match." She added that she felt she had put her entire heart on the court, particularly during a difficult third set where she was down 4-2. Osaka apologized for her frustration during the match, acknowledging a negative self-assessment that affected her play.
Osaka's presence on the court has also been accompanied by attention to her distinctive fashion choices. For her third appearance at the US Open this tournament, she wore a light-gray zip-up hoodie under a tailored gray plaid blazer, paired with wide-leg gray trousers. This ensemble followed previous distinctive outfits, including an all-white ensemble with tennis racket embroidery on Thursday and an all-black Nike outfit earlier in the week.
These fashion statements have prompted varied reactions from fans on social media. Some spectators expressed criticism, with comments on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) suggesting a focus should remain on the game rather than fashion. One user posted, "Nobody cares, it's a tennis court not Paris fashion week ffs," while another remarked, "She's the only one that does this." Other comments included "Always cringe" and that Osaka "looked like a clown."
Earlier in the tournament, Osaka's matches were also marked by minor disruptions from spectators. On one occasion, a chair umpire had to address a group in a hospitality suite who were reportedly milling about, taking pictures, and talking during play. Footage circulating on social media appeared to show some spectators posing for photos with assistance from what looked like US Open staff holding portable lights, even during live match play.
Brendan McIntyre, head of US Open communications, commented on such incidents, stating, "We want our fans and guests to have an incredible time when they attend the US Open, but we also need to ensure that does not interfere with the action and competition on the court." He noted that such instances are infrequent and that umpires are empowered to address crowd behavior, similar to managing excessive noise.