Melbourne, Jan. 20 -- Naomi Osaka made a bold statement even before showcasing her famed power in a hard-fought first-round win at the Australian Open 2026 on Tuesday.
The two-time tournament winner turned heads on Rod Laver Arena in a striking butterfly-themed outfit, featuring a white top hat, veil, umbrella, and floor-length gown. The ensemble was worn for the toss before she changed into a traditional turquoise tennis kit for play.
On court, the US-based Japanese star defeated Antonia Ruzic 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in a match lasting two hours and 22 minutes. She surged to a 3-0 lead in the decider but faced resistance from the Croatian world No.65, who briefly threatened to upset the 16th seed.
However, Osaka's power and experience proved deci...