Naomi Osaka has hit back at critics of her iconic fashion choices after lighting up the US Open with her menu of statement outfits.
The two-time US Open champion may have lost a lopsided fourth-round match to Elena Rybakina but she continued to make her mark as the undisputed fashion queen on tour.
Osaka, already known for her walk-on fashion reveals at tournaments, has been upping her game at the year's final major with a series of dramatic ensembles - all with a basketball theme as her sponsor, Nike, honours the New York Knicks' championship win.
She took to Threads to respond to those opposed to her style.
"You know… idgaf if you don't like me," she wrote. "I don't mind being the first to do something and getting trashed for it. This happened when I talked about mental health and for some reason it's happening with my clothes lol. I'm literally Haitian it's in my blood to be this way, as long as the people after me have an easier path it's worth it."
For her first-round match, Osaka channelled NBA great Allen Iverson in a long, white tulle skirt and a dramatic grey, hooded robe. When she removed the hood, Osaka's hair was in cornrows under a headband, recalling Iverson's look when was the NBA MVP while playing for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Her ensemble was designed by Who Decides War, the New York-based streetwear brand.
For round two, Osaka - a four-time Grand Slam champion - arrived on court in an ensemble by Thom Browne, with a flowing white jacket embroidered with crossed tennis rackets. Underneath, her tennis skirt's mesh fabric resembled a basketball net.
For the third round she wore the label Monse - an oversized hybrid of a grey suit jacket and hoodie sweatshirt over flowing grey fleece joggers, an outfit meant to mesh business wear with sports wear.
After her loss Monday, Osaka arrived on court in a coat of many colours: a fur-trimmed cloak designed by Brooklyn-based label KidSuper.
The Japanese superstar was asked if she was disappointed that there may have been other fashion looks she'd been planning to display, had she remained longer.
"I mean, I think there's always something, you know?" Osaka said. "I feel like that's a way that I can have fun and sort of just excite myself, also."
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