Naomi Osaka turned heads at Roland Garros on Tuesday, but not everyone was impressed by her fashion-forward entrance. After Osaka swept past Laura Siegemund 6-3, 7-6 (3) in the first round, the German veteran took a pointed jab at her opponent's outfit, sparking a lively debate on social media.
Osaka arrived on Court Suzanne Lenglen wearing a striking black corset and floor-length skirt designed by Kevin Germanier, before peeling off the outer layer to reveal a gold minidress from Nike. The four-time Grand Slam champion's ensemble was a showstopper, but Siegemund was having none of it.
“I honestly don’t care,” Siegemund told reporters after the match. “I’m here to play tennis, not to do a fashion show.” The comment quickly went viral, with fans divided over whether it was a sore-loser moment or a fair point.
Social media erupted. One fan called Siegemund a “pathetic loser,” while another said the quote was “the most Siegemund thing ever.” But the German star stood her ground, insisting she was focused solely on competition.
Osaka, meanwhile, wasn't fazed. In her post-match press conference, she explained that Grand Slam walk-ons are the only time she feels like an entertainer. “Sometimes people say athletes are in ‘show business’ or ‘entertainers’ or whatever,” Osaka said. “For me, Grand Slam walk-ons are the only time that I possibly feel like I’m an entertainer.”
The fashion buzz around Osaka's outfit has been massive, with over 1 million views of her gold dress across social media. It's not the first time style has taken center stage at Roland Garros this week—Caroline Wozniacki also earned praise from Serena Williams for her own broadcasting debut and chic looks.
Osaka's next challenge is Donna Vekic, and if she advances, she'll face either Iva Jovic or Emma Navarro in the third round. The Japanese star is aiming for a deep run in Paris, and she's not about to let outfit critiques distract her.
“I’m here to play tennis, too,” Osaka said with a smile. “But I also like to have fun with my look.”
Whether Siegemund's comments were a shot at Osaka or just a reflection of a competitive mindset, one thing is clear: the fashion-versus-function debate in tennis isn't going away anytime soon.
