Today, Naomi Osaka makes her grand return to Indian Wells—also known as the BNP Paribas Open—in the California desert. The four-time Grand Slam champion, seeded 16th, is facing Andorra’s 97th-ranked Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva. This marks Osaka’s first tournament since withdrawing from the Australian Open in January due to an abdominal injury.
“I’m feeling really inspired,” Osaka told Vogue just before the match. “Indian Wells has its own energy—the desert, the light, the crowd. It feels cinematic. I’m excited to step back into that space and compete again.”
Known for her statement looks on court, Osaka brought her A-game in both skill and style for her highly anticipated return. For Indian Wells and the upcoming Miami Open, she’s wearing her usual Nike performance wear along with new custom pieces from Filipino-American designer Chris Habana, whose jewelry has been worn by stars like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga.
“When I first saw my Nike kit, my team and I started thinking bigger: How do we build a world around it?” Osaka says. “I’ve always loved fashion editorials, so my mind went to jewelry and accessories—pieces that could extend the story.”
To complement her Nike outfit—an animal-print top with a mesh back and shorts—Habana created edgy, avant-garde accessories that gave Osaka an instant boost of confidence and power. “He makes these layered, expressive pieces that feel intentional,” says Osaka. “I loved bringing that energy onto the court.” The collection includes bold ear cuffs, mesh gloves, fang-like grills, and a chainmail skirt.
“I like when fashion creates a little moment of intrigue,” Osaka says of her court style.
The collaboration began with a practical idea. “One of the first things I wanted was a functional ear cuff that could hold my earbuds during warmups but still look cool,” Osaka explains. “That piece became an anchor for the collection.”
For Habana, dressing an athlete was a fresh challenge, as he usually outfits musicians or runway models. But he found a common thread in the presentation. “Naomi’s walk onto the court isn’t that different from a model on the runway,” he says. “The look has to make an impact, tell a story, and intrigue people. The biggest challenge was designing pieces she could put on and take off easily, so transitioning into the match felt smooth.”
From there, they developed more pieces, like gloves and grills, that help get Osaka into a competitive mindset. “The pieces will evolve through the tournaments. You’ll see different combinations depending on how I’m feeling each day,” she says. “I love the finger gloves with claw details. You can wear everything together or break it apart, so each piece becomes its own layer of armor. It’s playful but powerful.”
Habana adds that he’s always seen his jewelry as a form of protection—so it felt natural for Osaka’s custom gear to carry that same spirit. “Our jewelry has always had an armor-like quality,” he says. “In sports, there’s an aggression and competitive energy athletes bring, and the shapes in our jewelry reflect that same sense of fight—balancing offense and defense.”As Osaka continues to wear these pieces over the next month—following Indian Wells, she will compete at the Miami Open beginning March 15—she hopes they will spark conversations among both tennis and fashion enthusiasts. “I can’t control how people interpret things, but I hope the pieces spark curiosity,” says Osaka. “Maybe someone sees them and wonders about the designer, or why they belong on a tennis court. I love when fashion creates that little moment of intrigue.”
Designer Chris Habana reflects on creating the looks: “With Naomi crossing so many cultural borders, it gave me a lot of creative freedom. When her stylist Martin described her as a kind of warrior stepping onto the court, that immediately aligned with our aesthetic.”
This isn’t the first time Osaka has used fashion as a form of storytelling. At the 2026 Australian Open, for example, she wore an exoskeletal-inspired design by Robert Wun that captivated the arena. (Her custom Labubus look is also not to be missed.) “Fashion has always been part of how I tell stories. It’s another language,” says Osaka. “How you feel when you walk onto the court really matters: when you feel strong, when you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing, it gives you momentum before the first point is even played. Style can be a confidence boost—and sometimes, even a little armor.”
“Staying grounded is pretty simple for me,” Osaka adds. “I do it for myself and for my daughter.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Naomi Osakas fashion confidence at Indian Wells and Miami designed to be clear concise and conversational
General Beginner Questions
Q What is this about Naomi Osaka and fashion at Indian WellsMiami
A Its about how tennis star Naomi Osaka is using her unique bold style choices at these major tournaments to express herself and build confidence both on and off the court
Q Why is her fashion at these tournaments a big deal
A These are two of the biggest and most stylish events in tennis outside the Grand Slams Players often debut new kits and Osaka is known for making fashion statements that go beyond a typical athletic uniform
Q What kind of clothes is she wearing
A She often wears vibrant eyecatching designs from her own brand Kinl or through collaborations Expect bold colors unique patterns and pieces that blend athletic performance with streetwear and highfashion influences
Q Is she still focused on tennis or is it just about fashion now
A She is absolutely focused on her tennis For Osaka fashion is an integrated part of her performanceits a tool for selfexpression that helps her feel confident and powerful when she competes
Advanced Deeper Questions
Q How does fashion actually translate to confidence for an athlete like her
A Shes spoken about using clothing as armor By wearing something that feels authentically her she steps onto the court with a stronger sense of identity and control which can positively impact her mental game and focus
Q Whats different about her approach to tennis fashion compared to other players
A While many players wear sponsorprovided kits Osaka is deeply involved in the design process Her looks are often more conceptual telling a story or reflecting her personality rather than just being a branded uniform
Q Is there a business strategy behind this fashion focus
A Yes It strengthens her personal brand attracts nontraditional sports sponsorships and expands her influence beyond tennis into the global fashion and culture spaces
Q What common problem is she addressing by talking about fashion confidence
A Shes challenging the traditional conservative expectations of how a female athlete should look and behave Shes