Naomi Osaka Reveals She Designed Sakura-Themed Outfit for French Open at Roland-Garros

Having already teased her design profile for Roland-Garros this year, Naomi Osaka debuted her sakura-inspired outfit in the Grand Slam event Monday.

"The shoes are sakura-themed, which is just in time for spring, which is sakura season," she told reporters ahead of her first-round match against 10th-seeded Paula Badosa. "It follows the flower story that we have throughout the year. I'm really excited about the kit because I designed it. I don't know why Nike is letting me do this stuff. I say this every Slam. But I think it's really adorable. I'm just excited. I don't know if you can see from all the way over here but I did my nails. They're sakura-themed too. I'm really sticking to the flower story that we have."

Osaka said at the Australian Open she planned on tailoring her wardrobe around specific flowers for this year's Grand Slam schedule. Her look in Melbourne was based on the sunflower.

The sartorial choice didn't provide much additional luck to the 27-year-old. She advanced to the third round of the Australian Open, where an abdominal injury forced her to retire against Belinda Bencic.

Judging by her past results at Roland-Garros, Osaka may not be donning her sakura sneakers and dress for too long, either. The four-time Grand Slam champion has never reached the quarterfinals in Paris, and 2019 was the last time she got to the third round.

Osaka took the first set via tiebreaker against Badosa but fell behind 0-5 in the second. This is the first time they've faced off at a WTA event.