Naomi Osaka was met with criticism from fans on social media after her US Open campaign concluded with a straight-sets defeat to Elena Rybakina in the round of 16. Osaka's exit on Monday afternoon came after a week where her unconventional, fashion-forward outfits had garnered significant attention at Flushing Meadows.
For her match against Rybakina, Osaka appeared on court wearing an oversized hooded coat lined with faux fur. This streetwear-inspired ensemble drew a swift reaction online, with some fans deriding the outfit as excessive and questioning its suitability for a professional tennis match. "Osaka comes out in a ridiculous coat and gets absolutely smoked in 1st set. Maybe leave the ludicrous bling in the locker room," one user posted on X.
Another comment highlighted the disconnect between her style and performance, stating, "Clothes are great, but let's see if she can back it up on the court. Style points don't win matches." Comments such as "What is this, a modeling shoot? The outfits are garish!" and comparisons to opponent Elena Rybakina, who reportedly entered the court in her playing attire, also emerged.
Rybakina controlled the match from the outset, securing the first set 6-1 in 22 minutes with strong serving and powerful groundstrokes. Osaka showed more resistance in the second set, but Rybakina ultimately closed out the match with a 6-4 victory, advancing to the quarterfinals.
"I honestly didn't expect it. I played really well today," Rybakina said following the match. "Feeling the ball was really good from my side. A bit lucky in some moments. I caught some lines. Super happy with the performance. Naomi is a tough opponent. I knew no matter the score I needed to focus on each ball. She's also an aggressive player. I'm very glad with the way I played today."
