Naomi Osaka is back in the swing of things. After a tough time at Wimbledon in July, the tennis icon has taken on the US Open in style. Now, she’s advancing to the quarterfinals after defeating Coco Gauff — with custom Labubus in tow.
The tradition started with her opening match, an easy win against Greet Minnen (6-3, 6-4). Osaka donned a shimmering rose-themed kit. Even from the nosebleeds of the Louis Armstrong Stadium, she sparkled — not only in her gameplay, but quite literally.
The glistening ensemble in question: a custom Nike tank dress from stylist Yoon Ahn, shimmering Beats by Dre headphones fit for a modern-day Dorothy, GP Challenge 1 “Naomi Osaka” Sneakers ($170), and crystalline roses tucked throughout her hair, including a detachable braid that was removed once the match began. The icing on the cake? A custom bedazzled Labubu — AKA the perfect mascot for her New York return.
:extract_cover():upscale():fill(ffffff)/2025/08/27/749/n/44344577/shopkYXXMJ.png)
In a post-game interview, Osaka told reporters that she’s been planning the outfit for years, but it officially came together a few weeks ago with the help of her stylist. “I was like: ‘Do you think this is possible?’ Maybe it was two weeks ago,” Osaka told the crowd. “Yeah, we kind of just toss ideas around. Obviously, the outcome is way better than I could have imagined.”
As for the Labubu, that’s courtesy of A-Morir studio. “She’s named Billie Jean Bling. Not Billie Jean King. Billie Jean Bling,” Osaka said as she showed off the trendy accessory. “I’m glad she made people laugh today.” Since her first round match, Osaka has introduced three more custom Labubus to the crowd: LeBillieBu, Althea Giltterson (a nod to Althea Gibson), and Arthur Flashe (a tribute to Arthur Ashe).
After each win, as Osaka introduces her Labubus to the crowd, you can see the joy and levity radiating through her. She’s also been making TikToks showcasing the custom accessories, each video more delightful than the last. And honestly, she deserves this. The athlete has faced a plethora of criticism and speculation lately, namely around her mental health.
“I’m just going to be a negative human being today, I’m so sorry,” Osaka said during a press interview post-Wimbledon loss. “I have nothing positive to say about myself, which is something I’m working on.” That quote led both fans and news outlets to speculate over Osaka’s mental health, something that she’s been open about struggling with before, especially after the birth of her daughter. “Wtf, why don’t they clip my press conferences after I win?” Osaka posted on Threads after taking notice of the critiques. “Like why push the narrative that I’m always sad?”
“Sure I was disappointed a couple hours ago, now I’m motivated to do better. That’s human emotions,” Osaka later added to the commentary via Threads. Unfortunately, the concern expressed by society isn’t a shocker. Women athletes, especially Black women athletes, have a history of being emotionally policed in sport (see: Angel Reese, Serena Williams, the list goes on). I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: “Last time we checked, emotions exist on a spectrum, and everyone is allowed to experience them in their own right and time. No assumptions required.”
That said, it has been great to see Osaka having fun at the US Open and leaning into the playfulness of the game again. It’s a reminder to us all not to take life so seriously and to appreciate the small joys. There’s also something so childlike and whimsical about the act of carrying around a bedazzled accessory (even if it is worth $450) that makes me smile and wonder if the renewed whimsy has also had an impact on Osaka’s success. This marks her first major quarterfinal appearance since the 2021 Australian Open. And this time, it feels like Osaka is leaning into all the pleasures of the game — both on and off the court. She’s playing for no one but herself, her daughter, and of course, the Labubus.
At the same time, don’t celebrate Osaka in her sparkle if you can’t support her during moments of self-critique, too. This athlete, icon, mother, and changemaker deserves every rose (crystalline or not) in the world — and then some.
Alexis Jones (she/her) is the senior health and fitness editor at PS. In her seven years of editorial experience, Alexis has developed passions and areas of expertise around mental health, women’s health and fitness, racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and chronic conditions. Prior to joining PS, she was the senior editor at Health magazine. Her other bylines can be found at Women’s Health, Prevention, Marie Claire, and more.
