Naomi Osaka is serving looks both on and off the court, and her latest social media moment has fans completely losing it.
The four-time Grand Slam champion first made waves in 2021 when she graced the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, becoming the first Japanese and Haitian woman to do so. The iconic shoot, captured in Malibu, remains a fan favorite—and SI Swimsuit just reminded everyone why.
On Wednesday, the official SI Swimsuit Instagram account shared a throwback snap from Osaka's 2021 photoshoot, and the comments section immediately erupted. “Gorgeous,” one fan wrote. “Flawless Naomi,” added another. “Timeless beauty,” a third chimed in.
Osaka's connection to the magazine runs deep. At the time of the shoot, she spoke passionately about what the honor meant to her. “I’m so proud to be the first Japanese and Haitian woman to grace one of the covers,” she told Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. “I feel like that multi-cultural background is present in all of the things that I do. I try to incorporate it in everything, so hopefully, you see that.”
She also reflected on the legends who came before her. “My memories [of the magazine] kind of involves the people that I grew up admiring, so I remember Tyra Banks’s issue, I remember Beyonce’s. Just growing up and watching so many incredible women grace this cover, for me, it feels like a dream.”
The timing of the post is no coincidence—Osaka is set to compete at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday, and she's already making headlines with her bold fashion choices. For her first-round match against Anastasia Zakharova, she rocked an Allen Iverson-inspired outfit, a nod to the NBA legend's influence on sports fashion.
“I think he’s also someone that I look up to a lot because he’s kind of done a lot in fashion, whether it’s on purpose or not, but he’s shifted the way that NBA players dress,” Osaka explained. “I also think the whole conversation around clothes in sports and also just expressing yourself through style, I feel like he’s someone that I look up to in that regard.”
Osaka's fearless approach to style has become as much a part of her brand as her powerful groundstrokes. And with the SI Swimsuit throwback sending fans into a frenzy, it's clear her appeal extends far beyond the baseline.
She's promised more bold looks at this year's US Open, so expect the unexpected. As for the swimsuit photo—it's just another reminder of why Osaka remains one of the most captivating athletes in the world.
For more on Osaka's evolving style and her promise to keep pushing boundaries, check out her recent comments on bold US Open looks. And if you're in the mood for more swimsuit glam, Olivia Dunne's latest SI Swimsuit video is sure to heat things up.
