Updated

Updated · The New York Times · May 28

Naomi Osaka Wins 2 French Open Matches as Her Kevin Germanier Couture Debuts in Paris

Updated

Updated · The New York Times · May 28

Naomi Osaka Wins 2 French Open Matches as Her Kevin Germanier Couture Debuts in Paris

Q: Will Naomi Osaka's on-court couture finally break her third-round curse at the French Open?

Probably not by itself. Osaka’s fashion may help her confidence, but whether she finally gets past the third round at Roland Garros will depend far more on her level on clay, her draw, and her ability to sustain form over multiple matches. The evidence so far is encouraging. Osaka opened the 2026 French Open with a straight-sets win over Laura Siegemund after unveiling her black pre-match look and reflective gold Nike match outfit. She has also shown stronger clay-court signs this season, including pushing Aryna Sabalenka to a third set in Madrid. As the No. 16 seed, she enters Paris with enough form to be considered dangerous. Her history in Paris still argues for caution. Osaka has won four Grand Slam titles, but none have come at the French Open, where she has never gone beyond the third round. Clay remains her least proven major surface, and the women’s field includes strong specialists such as defending champion Coco Gauff, Iga Świątek, Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina. Even if her quarter is viewed as less daunting than the other half, the path remains difficult. What the couture can do is indirect. Osaka has said style can feel like “armor” and a confidence boost before a match. That matters, especially for a player who has spoken openly about mental well-being and comfort. But clothes do not solve tactical and physical challenges on clay. So the outfits may symbolize a more confident Osaka, but breaking the French Open barrier will come down to tennis, not couture.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 28

Osaka opened Roland Garros with back-to-back straight-set wins, beating Laura Siegemund 6-3, 7-6(3) and Donna Vekić 7-6(1), 6-4 while unveiling two versions of her latest custom look.
The 28-year-old said the outfits are a form of self-expression and a tribute to Venus and Serena Williams, with Kevin Germanier helping shape a black corset-and-skirt reveal over a glittering gold Nike dress.
That dress was designed to evoke the Eiffel Tower lit at night, and Osaka said it sparkled so brightly she brought two backup Nike dresses in case officials deemed it distracting.
The Paris reveal extends a run of couture-infused Grand Slam entrances after her Robert Wun-designed Australian Open outfit and Indian Wells look, even as she targets a first French Open run beyond the third round.