Naomi Osaka honours Japanese heritage with crane-themed outfit before Tokyo win

Tokyo: Former world number one and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka made her return to the Pan Pacific Open a memorable one on Tuesday, beating Italy's Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) in her opening match. Before the victory, however, it was her arrival on court that drew the most attention. Osaka walked out in a blue robe with long, kimono-like sleeves featuring a white crane pattern, a gesture that honoured her Japanese heritage. The pattern pointed to her mother's home in Hokkaido, northern Japan. Osaka said the occasion felt like a homecoming. She explained that while she has often delivered big fashion moments at Grand Slams, returning home made her want to do something special in Tokyo as well. For Osaka, playing in Tokyo for the first time in four years was not just the start of a tournament but also a chance to reconnect with her roots and the fans. Osaka is known for her striking custom-made outfits. She channelled NBA fashion trailblazer Allen Iverson at the US Open and wore an audacious jellyfish-inspired look in Australia. At Wimbledon, she drew on her Japanese heritage with a kimono-inspired white dress. Her latest Tokyo outfit was made by the same designer behind several of her memorable looks. Asked whether more outfits could appear this week, Osaka replied with a teasing smile that it would be fun if fans watched and were surprised. Her answer suggested that her Tokyo fashion experiments are not over yet. On court, too, she showed that her focus was on performance as much as presentation. The match was not expected to be straightforward. World number 35 Paolini had won the pair's only previous meeting, so Osaka faced pressure in her opener, especially after returning to the tournament following a four-year gap. But the Japanese star adopted an aggressive approach from the start and used her power and accuracy to push the Italian back in the first set. Osaka took the first set 6-3. Her forehand and serve gave Paolini few chances to settle. The second set was much closer. Paolini found her rhythm and forced Osaka into longer rallies. The set went to a tiebreak, where Osaka edged ahead 7-4 to close out the match and begin her Tokyo campaign positively. Osaka's return to Tokyo is different in several ways. In 2026, her run at the tournament ended before the second round when she withdrew with abdominal pain. Since then, her life has changed significantly. She became a mother and spent about 15 months away from the sport after the birth of her daughter Shai before returning in 2026. She has since been working to regain her fitness and form. Now ranked 18 in the world, Osaka said she had changed a lot since her last appearance in Tokyo. That change is not only about ranking or playing style but also about perspective. Since becoming a mother, she has often spoken about balancing responsibilities away from the court with the pressure of competition. Her Tokyo return offers a glimpse of that new balance. After the match, Osaka's focus was on the win, but she also made her heritage part of the occasion. The crane pattern was not merely decorative. In Japanese culture, the crane is associated with long life, good fortune and auspiciousness. Through her outfit, Osaka expressed a connection to her mother's hometown and her Japanese roots. That is why her look in Tokyo became a talking point among both tennis fans and fashion watchers. Osaka's presence is also big news for the tournament. She is back after four years, and her popularity is drawing spectators. As a former world number one, she will carry home expectations, but against Paolini she showed that she can play her game under pressure. The win should boost Osaka's confidence. A straight-sets victory over a player like Paolini, especially after winning the second-set tiebreak, is a good sign for the matches ahead. She showed both aggression and patience, winning the big points when needed and staying composed in tight moments. For Osaka, this tournament is not just about collecting ranking points. It is also a stage to present her form, fitness and fashion identity together. On the first day in Tokyo, she proved that she can command attention both on and off the court. The question now is whether she can maintain this momentum in the next round and whether another new outfit will surprise fans this week.