Osaka pays love and respect to Japan in Wimbledon kimono

Naomi Osaka, known for her striking on-court fashion, embraced her heritage at Wimbledon by arriving for her opening match in an elegant, full-length white kimono. This choice adhered to the All England Club's stringent all-white dress code while paying homage to her Japanese and Haitian roots.

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When I think about Wimbledon, it's obviously the all white. There's obviously the tradition of it all. In my head, when I think about that, I think about my cultures, my heritage, which is Japanese and Haitian. Then, if I dive deeper into Japanese culture, I think about the most iconic silhouette, which for me is a kimono. You don't have to see the colour of a kimono to know that it is a kimono.

The four-time major champion explained that the kimono's iconic silhouette, particularly an all-white version seen in the movie "Kill Bill," inspired her. "In my head, when I think about that, I think about my cultures, my heritage, which is Japanese and Haitian," Osaka said. "Then, if I dive deeper into Japanese culture, I think about the most iconic silhouette, which for me is a kimono."

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I don't know, I was thinking about my favourite movies also. I love Kill Bill. I remembered absolutely falling in love with Lucy Liu's character. She has an all-white kimono, and I remember thinking that was really cool. Then it just kind of went from there. It was like my interpretation of that, while also paying a lot of respect and love to Japan.

Osaka's fashion statement drew attention as she was escorted to her court. "From my end, I thought that was really fun just because I didn't think anyone expected that," she commented. "I could feel when I walked by someone, they would physically turn their whole body. I thought that was really fun."

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From my end, I thought that was really fun just because I didn't think anyone expected that. I try to lock in a little bit and wear my headphones. I could feel when I walked by someone, they would physically turn their whole body. I thought that was really fun.

While Osaka enjoys "shaking things up" with her outfits, she admitted they can add pressure. "I wouldn't say it eases my nerves to wear these outfits because a little part of my mind wants to do well so I can continue wearing them," she stated. She added that wearing extravagant outfits is something she is accustomed to, viewing it as her unique way of expressing herself.

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I wouldn't say it eases my nerves to wear these outfits because a little part of my mind wants to do well so I can continue wearing them. Obviously, like for the French Open, you don't want to wear a ball gown and lose in the first round. That does cross my mind a little bit.