All eyes were on former world tennis number one Naomi Osaka at the French Open this week when she strutted onto the court in a sequined waistcoat and black floor-length mesh skirt. Underneath, her tennis dress was tan with a ruffled waist and golden glittering sequins, which the four-time Grand Slam champion likened to her take on the 'Eiffel Tower at night when it’s sparkly'. But this raises the question: will Naomi Osaka be banned from Wimbledon this summer if her outfits don’t comply with the iconic British tournament’s strict dress code?
Osaka's History of Bold Fashion
The French Open is not the first time she has walked onto the sporting stage in an elaborate get-up. The Japanese star, 28, turned up in a jellyfish-esque outfit to the Australian Open, wearing a blue and green ruffled Nike sports dress, a large wide-brimmed white hat with a mesh veil, and a long white underskirt. The star has said she is 'a little dramatic' when it comes to her fashion sense, but adds that it is how she expresses herself because she is not the most 'talkative' person.
Backlash from Critics
Her outfits no doubt push the envelope in a sport where attire is heavily regulated, and not everyone has welcomed her whimsy. Germany’s Laura Siegemund, whom Naomi defeated in straight sets in the first round of the French tournament, hit back, saying she was 'not here for a fashion show'. Tennis player Jamie Murray has previously slammed her Australian Open outfit in a BBC interview, saying: 'It was like Mary Poppins on… I don’t know what she was on, but she’s on something. I was like, 'What are you doing?''
Naomi has also taken to Threads in the past, hitting back at people calling her fashion choices 'classless'. 'I don’t do this for them though – they will never get it, and I don’t want them to,' she wrote. 'I do this for the people that are like me.' On X, she has received a boatload of praise for her outfits. 'The way it floats and flutters, then catches the sun in movement, is mesmerizing,' wrote one fan. 'It’s JUST a dress. A shiny, sparkly, beautiful dress that Naomi Osaka chose to wear. Why does that hurt your fragile feelings?' added another.
Wimbledon's Strict Dress Code
Known for its all-white strict dress code for players, Wimbledon is not exactly a place for experimenting with match attire. The rules state that competitors must be dressed in suitable tennis attire that is almost entirely white (not off-white or cream), and this applies from the point at which the player enters the court surround. A single trim of colour around the neckline and around the cuff of the sleeves is acceptable, but it cannot be wider than one centimetre. This also applies to caps, headbands, bandanas, wristbands, and socks.
It is unlikely that the star will be banned entirely, but the tournament has a history of fining competitors. Australian star Nick Kyrgios was fined £11,700 in 2022 – the year he reached the final – partly for wearing red Jordans and a red cap when accepting his second-place trophy – while others have been told to change. Venus Williams had to change her fuchsia bra after the straps became visible during the tournament, and Roger Federer had to change his orange-soled Nike tennis shoes.
Style Over Colour
Just because Naomi cannot experiment with colour does not mean she cannot experiment with style, for which there are no visible guidelines apart from being 'suitable' for tennis. The tennis star has said she has 'backup normal Nike dresses' for tournaments if her outfit is not appreciated by officials. Speaking about the French Open, she told Sky Sports: 'I actually got a little worried, because when the sun hits the dress, it reflects a lot. So I was a little scared that the umpire was going to kick me off the court.'
Why the Fuss? A Call for Acceptance
Metro’s assistant editor, Lucy Mapstone, has some pretty strong thoughts for the tennis traditionalists who are not supportive of Naomi’s self-expression. 'I bl**dy love Naomi Osaka for doing what she’s doing,' Lucy says. 'Tradition is one thing, but do you know what else is special? Looking absolutely fantastic, exuding confidence, and giving a fashionable middle finger to your critics while doing it with style. And you can’t deny Osaka is making this year’s French Open more interesting. Couture meets tennis? How marvellous.'
'Sport can be an archaic space and, understandably, one built on rules and tradition. But Osaka has long faced a level of scrutiny that feels all too familiar for female athletes and women of colour. It also strikes me that women’s sport constantly asks its stars to be marketable, charismatic, and culturally relevant – then gets uncomfortable when they actually are. I can’t help but wonder: if a male tennis player turned up in something equally daring, would he be attracting the same level of negativity? I highly doubt it.'
'Personally, I’d love to see Osaka continue this fashion streak all the way to Wimbledon. Tennis needs stars, and stars need personality. Osaka’s outfits are creating conversation, bringing fresh eyes to the sport, and making tournaments that little bit more fun. Let’s hope Wimbledon finds a way to embrace that rather than police it.'
What Will Naomi Osaka Wear to Wimbledon?
While it is true that Naomi will need to tone it down for Wimbledon if she wants to avoid a fine, she has consistently shown a love for tulle and ruffles. It is very possible we could see her in an all-white tennis dress with a multiple-tiered ruffled skirt and maybe even a white bow on the back, similar to the lime green get-up she wore for the 2024 US Open. Alternatively, she may opt for a similar poofy skirt and mesh dress, like the orange and purple numbers she wore for the same tournament in 2025, but this time in white. One thing is for sure: we will not just be attending Wimbledon for the strawberries and cream this year; all eyes will be on the iconic tennis star and her next red carpet moment. Critics be damned.
