Naomi Osaka’s powerful statement on critics who hate her flashy dressing style after US Open exit

Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka had words for her haters and critics who have been slamming her flashy dressing style at the 2026 US Open.

Osaka’s run at the US Open ended with a fourth-round loss to Kazakh sensation Elena Rybakina (xx).

Osaka made plenty of headlines over the tournament for being photographed with really interesting, flashy, and eclectic fashion choices, which traditional fans and pundits had a lot of criticism for.

Naomi Osaka isn’t bothered by hate over her fashion choices

Osaka took to social media after her run at the 2026 US Open, slamming critics for hating on her for being one of the first tennis players to make bold fashion choices.

You know… (I don’t care) if you don’t like me. I don’t mind being the first to do something and getting trashed for it.”

“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 has openly called Allen Iverson a major inspiration for her bold fashion choices, as Iverson was the first to make NBA players culturally sensitive to fashion, and then some of the biggest tastemakers in the world of fashion, all because of Iverson in the 2000s.

Tennis stars have long been tastemakers in the world of athleisure, with tennis shirts and sneakers now being a part of day-to-day clothes.

However, Osaka is trying to bring the NBA-style fits into the more traditional world of tennis. She is naturally facing a lot of opposition from traditionalists, but over time, it might empower other players to try it because of the precedent Osaka has set.

The former WTA No. 1 has proved her ability on the court, and rightfully believes that she can be as self-expressive as she wants, with the hope that future players don’t need to hide their personalities either.

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