The Japanese tennis sensation is currently getting ready for the 2024 Miami Open, where she will be aiming to secure her eighth career championship.
Naomi Osaka (Images via IMAGO, X)
The former top-ranked player in the world is currently preparing for the upcoming tournament. Due to her pregnancy, she missed the entire 2023 season and is now participating in the main draw using her protected ranking.
The Japanese star competed in the previous edition of the event and reached the third round, where she was defeated in straight sets. Prior to that match, the four-time Grand Slam singles champion emerged victorious in both of her matches without dropping a single set. Osaka has demonstrated glimpses of her former self, but she needs to consistently bring her best.
As she continues her preparations for the Miami Open, Osaka was involved in an intriguing collaboration. Since Miami also hosts the Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Miami International Autodrome, the organizers presented a special jacket to the two-time champion, which was designed by a renowned fashion designer.
Hamilton, a celebrated celebrity fashion designer known for his expertise in creating leather jackets, is responsible for designing the jackets. These jackets often feature stunning graphics and have become an iconic aspect of both pop culture and sports. Osaka was also gifted a similar jacket.
The black jacket is adorned with the word ‘NAOMI’ on one sleeve, along with intricate details on the other. The design of the Miami Grand Prix racetrack, accompanied by the word ‘MIAMI’, is prominently displayed in the center of the jacket. The back of the jacket features a cartoon animal holding a large flower.
A collaboration that you didn’t know you needed 🔥 We are honored to present tennis champion Naomi Osaka with a unique and exclusive #MiamiGP Jeff Hamilton jacket!
Osaka shared pictures of herself wearing the jacket on her Instagram account. She paired it with an anime top and completed the look with her Nike shoes, featuring the iconic swoosh logo in a large size, showcasing her sense of fashion.
While Osaka has excelled on hardcourts, she has yet to claim the title at the Miami Open. She made her debut in 2016 and reached the third round. In the following years, she was eliminated in the second round, losing to different opponents. Despite being seeded in 2019, she once again fell in the third round. However, in 2021, she made it to the quarter-finals before being defeated. She improved on this result in 2022, reaching the finals. Unfortunately, Osaka was ultimately defeated by her opponent in the championship match.
The victory over Osaka propelled her opponent to the top spot in the world rankings for the first time. With a record of 12-6, she enters the 2024 edition of the tournament. In the first round, she will begin her campaign against another player, as she sets her sights on capturing her eighth career title.