Naomi Osaka has responded to criticism regarding her distinctive pre-match outfits at the 2026 U.S. Open, asserting that she is unconcerned by negative reactions. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion and the No. 13 seed at this year's tournament, was eliminated in the Round of 16.
"You know… idgaf [I don’t give a f–k] if you don’t like me. I don’t mind being the first to do something and getting trashed for it," Osaka wrote on the social media platform Threads. "This happened when I talked about mental health and for some reason it’s happening with my clothes lol."
Osaka, who holds two U.S. Open titles, was defeated by No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina with a score of 6-1, 6-4 in Louis Armstrong Stadium. Prior to this match, she had appeared on court wearing a custom tapestry jacket designed by KidSuper.
In a separate message on Threads last week, Osaka stated, "I refuse to be confined by the box you attempt to put me in."
Osaka's 2026 Grand Slam season included reaching the third round of the Australian Open, the fourth round of the French Open, and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. She previously withdrew from the 2021 French Open to prioritize her mental health, a decision that drew significant public attention.
She added that her heritage contributes to her bold approach: "I’m literally Haitian it’s in my blood to be this way, as long as the people after me have an easier path it’s worth it."
