Naomi Osaka has responded to criticism of her distinctive U.S. Open outfits, drawing parallels between the scrutiny and past discussions about her mental health advocacy. In a post on Instagram Threads, the four-time Grand Slam champion stated that she is unfazed by negative opinions on her fashion choices.
"You know…idgaf [I don’t give a f---] if you don’t like me. I don’t mind being the first to do something and getting trashed for it," Osaka wrote. "This happened when I talked about mental health and for some reason it’s happening with my clothes lol. 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."
Osaka, who was born in Osaka, Japan, and represents Japan in international competition, highlighted her Haitian heritage. Her father, Leonard Francois, is from Jacmel, Haiti. The family relocated from Japan to Long Island, New York, when Osaka was three years old.
Osaka’s fashion at the 2026 U.S. Open included a variety of bold ensembles. For her first-round match, she wore a short-sleeved hoodie, red and black arm sleeves, and a full-length skirt, complemented by a red and black headband. She later explained that this specific look was a tribute to NBA legend Allen Iverson.
Osaka and her sponsor, Nike, collaborated on several NBA-inspired outfits throughout the tournament. However, the reference to Iverson, who has no direct ties to New York City where the U.S. Open is held, drew particular attention, especially considering Iverson was not a Nike athlete during his playing career.
Prior to her fourth-round match, Osaka was seen wearing a detailed coat by KidSuper and a headband featuring the NBA logo. She later opted for a visor during the match itself.
This is not the first time Osaka's on-court attire has sparked discussion. Previously, at the Australian Open, she wore an outfit she described as being inspired by a jellyfish from a children's book.
