Naomi Osaka survived a scare in Melbourne and stole the style show.
After wobbling against world number 65 Antonia Ruzic, the two-time Australian champion dug in, changed tactics late in the deciding set and closed out a nervy three-setter while her jellyfish-themed entrance kept as many headlines as her groundstrokes.
Tactical Shift Turned The Match
“I tried to change it up a little.”
Naomi Osaka
Osaka opened cleanly, winning the first set 6-3, then surrendered the second 3-6 and found herself down 4-3 after a mid-set break in the decider, suddenly staring down what would have been a major upset on a night match in Melbourne Park.
Rather than panic she turned the match by redirecting her attention and picking her moments better, reeling off three straight games to close the decider 6-4 and storm into the second round with a relieved smile and some homework for the coaching notes.
The late adjustment was straightforward in concept but tough to execute: target the weaker wing, be steady through long exchanges and accelerate when openings arrived, a plan Osaka admitted she wished had come sooner during those long rallies that tested patience on the faster court.
“I mean, honestly what was going in my head was that I thought my level was pretty good,” Osaka told reporters in Melbourne, and she accepted that if an opponent simply played better then that opponent deserved to win, because she was doing the best she could on the day.
She also praised the role of her serve late in the match, saying, “Then obviously my serve came in really clutch at the end.” That combination of steadiness, selective aggression and a timely serve finished off Ruzic when the pressure surged.
Style Statement: The Jellyfish Moment
Osaka made headlines before she even warmed up, arriving in a white hat and umbrella with a butterfly motif and a jellyfish theme that sparked conversation, a look she tied back to a 2021 courtside insect moment and a personal lucky charm from that title run.
She explained the inspiration plainly, telling reporters, ‘It has to do with the Australian Open in 2021 which I won… which I guess is a long time ago,’ and later confirmed the outfit was a collaboration with designer Robert Wun and Nike for a deliberately theatrical walk-on.
Osaka added context on the design, saying, “Nike let me design this one, it’s modelled after a jellyfish,” and social media chimed in with mixed views, ranging from “Beautiful entrance” and “She’s bringing something different to the table, and I’m here for it” to blunt takes such as “Attention seeking. This isn’t a fashion show.”
What Comes Next: Cirstea And The Road Ahead
Looking ahead Osaka will face Sorana Cirstea, a veteran who is currently ranked 41st in the world and is now entering her 20th year on tour after debuting in 2006, with the Romanian having signaled that this season will be her last campaign on tour.
Osaka admitted she had limited direct experience against Cirstea, saying, “Cirstea? I don’t know if I’ve played her before, but obviously I’ve seen her around quite a few times,” while noting the Romanian can be dangerous after a comeback performance in round one versus Eva Lys.
Antonia Ruzic, at world number 65, had pushed Osaka into long rallies and uncomfortable patterns, underlining why the 28-year-old needed to tidy choices and lean on the serve to swing tight points; the match was a reminder that young opponents can unsettle any established name on a given night.
Statistically the match had telling edges: Sporting News recorded an 11-0 advantage in aces for Osaka, and she also dominated points on her first serve often enough to offset the extended baseline exchanges that made the contest feel closer than the court speed promised.
Beyond a single match this was also a small career moment with context, since Osaka is viewed by many as a player likely to climb back into the WTA top 10 this season, and surviving a scare while keeping the performance and publicity machines humming feels like a useful one-two punch.
Between a timely tactical pivot and a headline-making wardrobe, Osaka managed to protect her ranking aspirations while putting on a show, serving notice that she can mix practical court solutions with off-court creativity in equal measure and still leave the Rod Laver crowd talking.
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Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
