Naomi Osaka stole the show at the US Open when she appeared on court sporting a giant, bright green bow on the back of her jacket before peeling off an equally colourful tutu.
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The Japanese star's outfit drew immediate comparisons with fellow Grand Slam queen Serena Williams who also backed up her brash choice of clothes with an equally confident game on court.
Bowing to the Queen of Fashion, @naomiosaka 🎀 pic.twitter.com/7ngPZLOFdE
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 27, 2024
AFP Sport looks at seven outfits which have hit the headlines down the years:
CATSUIT NO1
2002 US Open
– A 20-year-old Serena Williams took to the court in a striking thigh-length black lycra catsuit which kept the headline writers busy. Britain's Daily Mail described the outfit as adhering to her "like clingfilm, emphasizing every astonishing body contour".
That time Serena Williams LITERALLY served with this sleeveless Puma catsuit at the US Open circa 2002 🎾🐈⬛ pic.twitter.com/pJpztftpxj
— Brett Collins (@brettcollins99) February 22, 2022
DENIM DREAMS OF JIMMY DEAN
2004 US Open
– Serena made the quarterfinals in New York in 2004 but if her tennis failed to shine by her standards, she was again making a splash in fashion.
This time, she opted for a denim mini-skirt, knee-high black boots and a studded black blouse.
"It's inspired by James Dean," she explained to many blank faces, referencing the doomed 1950s Hollywood icon.
Serena Williams wearing a denim skirt and studded Nike top at the US Open in 2004 pic.twitter.com/8KvlNecGtX
— reminiscent (@nostalgicsz) May 7, 2024
TIGER (WELL, LEOPARD ACTUALL) BURNING BRIGHT
2007 US Open
– Never one to shy away from a fashion challenge, Bethanie Mattek-Sands often rivalled Serena in colourful court appearances.
In New York in 2007, the American went for a leopard-print top and shorts with matching visor.
"I like to be funky," said Mattek-Sands who can also boast once appearing at Wimbledon dressed in all-white soccer-style gear and at another US Open in a cowboy hat.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands, US Open 2007 pic.twitter.com/kPo7GeN3mp
— 🥴🤙🤙 (@fryingapan37) February 8, 2020
CORSET FOR CONCERN
2010 French Open
– Not to be outdone by her younger sister, Venus Williams played at Roland Garros in a black and red, corset-style outfit with flesh-coloured underwear.
It drew immediate comparisons to Paris's Moulin Rouge with the American insisting she was trying to "create an illusion".
Fashion Venus Williams 2010 dress at French Open @rolandgarros @Venuseswilliams pic.twitter.com/re2U9nofBS
— Tennis Pictures (@tennispicture) April 5, 2014
NEW JACKET REQUIRED
2011 Wimbledon
– Mattek-Sands arrived at the All England Club wearing a jacket with white tennis balls attached to the sleeves, a choice which contributed to her being dubbed 'The Lady Gaga of tennis'.
CATSUIT NO2
French Open 2018
Serena Williams, to @jon_wertheim, on the cat suit: "All the moms out there that had a tough pregnancy and have to come back and try to be fierce, in a middle of everything. That's what this represents. You can't beat a cat suit, right?" pic.twitter.com/XycL3WeNbj
— TENNIS (@Tennis) May 29, 2018
– Serena Williams played at Roland Garros in an all-black catsuit.
"I feel like a warrior princess from Wakanda, maybe," she told reporters, in reference to the "Black Panther" movie.
However, French Open officials took a dim view and banned similar outfits from future tournaments.
"One must respect the game and the place," said French tennis chief Bernard Giudicelli.
GREEN DAY
2024 US Open
– Naomi Osaka turned heads at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday when she took the court in a layered outfit featuring a bright green skirt with a stiff tulle petticoat and a jacket bedecked with a bright green bow.
She doffed both to reveal a tiered green tennis dress, with a white bow on the back waist, bows on both shoes complementing the effect.
NY I love you but you already knew that ☺️🎀 pic.twitter.com/rXFJkD1oml
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) August 27, 2024
"It's based on Japanese and Harajuku culture," Osaka said of the ensemble designed by Yoon Ahn with a nod to the Tokyo district famed for its street art and fashion.
However she added: "When I was putting on my outfit today, I was, like, 'Ah, I hope this isn't too much'. Because I had the tutu and then I had the bow jacket and it was green, I feel like everyone was staring at me funny."