Naomi Osaka does a lot more than strike a tennis ball with great power and pace. The four-time Grand Slam champion and two-time US Open titlist is not only a terrific tennis player, but a fashion and pop culture icon as well.
Osaka, the No. 23 seed, saw her run at the 2025 US Open come to an end after losing a heartbreaker to Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals, 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3. She played inspired tennis, both in Flushing Meadows and throughout the entire North American hard court swing.
The Japanese star was content to take the positives from her New York display. But something may have been bothering her more than the loss on court: the loss of the opportunity to reveal a seventh US Open Labubu in the showpiece final.
“Oh, don't make me cry, man. Oh, my God, the most devastating question,” she said with a smile when asked about the Labubu that never was.
“I wanted to make one of myself in last year’s outfit, and it was the green one. I would have had the bow, and I'm sick about it,” she revealed amidst laughter. “Oh, my God, that's, like, the worst thing. Honestly, I'm fine losing, but don't ask me about this Labubu, man. Yeah, it would have been me.”
Osaka’s round-by-round Labubu reveals had the US Open abuzz. Each one was uniquely bedazzled, matching her sparkling tennis dress paired with a matching jacket. The fashion statement could have made Anna Wintour herself ask the star to strut down the runway, rather than walk out into Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Osaka also took her Labubu game to the next level with nicknames inspired by tennis greats like Billie Jean King (Billie Jean Bling and LaBillieBu), Althea Gibson (Althea Glitterson), Arthur Ashe (Arthur Flashe) and Andre Agassi (Andre Swagassi).
Osaka was hoping to further honor those tennis (Labubu) greats by winning her third US Open title. Now one question remains: Will Osaka continue her unique Labubu reveals, and will the Labubu trend still be in style for her return at next year’s US Open?
