Naomi Osaka reveals why she hid her braids at the US Open.

Naomi Osaka surprised fans by revealing the reason she hid her braids before her match at the US Open. The Japanese player, who is vying for her first title of the season in Flushing Meadows, reached the third round of the tournament after overcoming challenges in the earlier rounds.

After a tough first-round match against Anastasia Zakharova, Osaka triumphed over Katerina Siniakova in three sets, marking her fourth appearance in the third round of a Grand Slam this season. Her entrance on the Arthur Ashe Stadium, wearing a long white skirt and a hoodie, drew attention, especially when she removed the hoodie to reveal her clean braid style. However, it was during the pre-tournament press conference that the situation stood out, when Osaka wore a durag and a journalist commented that he had never seen a tennis player with such an accessory. The player expressed surprise and clarified that the idea for the durag was not inspired by anything in particular, but rather a suggestion from her stylist.

After her latest victory, Osaka was asked again about hiding her braids. In a joking tone, she stated, “I want to make it very clear. Vanessa is a Black woman [laughs]. And no, it’s because I didn’t want anyone to see, like, the design. That was it.” Osaka’s look was a tribute to legendary NBA player Allen Iverson, whom she considers a fashion icon who revolutionized the way NBA players dress.

In terms of competition, Osaka is set to face the 23rd seed, Elise Mertens, against whom she holds a 6-3 advantage in their head-to-head matchups, having won their last two encounters at the Bad Homburg Open and in the third round of the Canadian Open this season. Mertens defeated Kaitlin Quevedo in the first round and Maria Timofeeva in the second.

Osaka, who has already won two titles at the US Open, recalled her first experience in Grand Slam tournaments, highlighting the thrill of playing in Australia in 2016. “I felt like a kid looking at all these professionals because I didn’t see myself as a professional at the time. It was so much fun, especially in Australia,” she commented. Since then, Osaka has not won another title at the professional level, despite reaching four finals, including one at the Bad Homburg Open this year, which was her first final on grass.

If she manages to advance to the fourth round, Osaka may find herself up against world number two, Elena Rybakina, an opponent she has already faced in the quarter-finals of the Canadian Open, where she was defeated. Rybakina, the winner of the Australian Open this year, could take the lead in the rankings if she reaches the semi-finals for the first time.