The Bowification of Tennis Has Officially Begun, Thanks to Naomi Osaka

For most of history, professional athletes have dressed for utility over style—fabrics are chosen for their sweat-wicking abilities and silhouettes are chosen for the purpose of aerodynamics and mobility. And while all of this still remains true, in recent years, fashion has taken center stage (or court, more accurately).

Pre-basketball game tunnel walks have become a fashion show and Formula 1 stars are now considered style icons. Tennis, too, has become a sartorial spectacle, with A-list celebs wearing their best "old money" outfits to sit in box seats and star athletes—like Serena Williams, most notably—taking to the court in designed looks, over cookie-cutter workout gear.

This season, one such stand-out is four-time Grand Slam singles champion, Naomi Osaka. Thus far, the athlete has competed twice in the 2024 US Open and both times, her outfits were undeniable serves. For her first match, on Aug. 27, Osaka wore a brat green tennis dress covered in ruffles, a custom-made creation from AMBUSH designer Yoon Ahn.

Offering fashion for the sake of fashion, Osaka's first 'fit featured a heavy helping of embellishments, in the form of statement bows: one at the waist, one on her jacket, and one on each sneaker.

For her second appearance, Osaka wore a similar look, this time in all-black. She wore the same ruffled one-piece, paired with a matching noir visor and windbreaker. This look went even heavier on the feminine details, with bows on her outfit and pearls in her braided hair.

The bow trend has become so popular over the last year, that fashion, as a whole, has reached a saturation point. Some have grown wary of the Great Bowification, but Osaka's sportswear has given the "coquette" staple new life.

Catch me wearing bows for the foreseeable future.