Naomi Osaka’s 'if you don’t like me' response to fashion critics after her US Open campaign has not impressed fans. Osaka wanted to defend her choices. However, some felt she should focus more on her tennis instead of her outfits.

Osaka got attention at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the US Open. Her outfits drew reactions online. After losing to Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals, Osaka shared her thoughts on Threads. She made it clear criticism would not change her.

“You know… idgaf if you don’t like me,” Osaka wrote on Threads. 

Osaka connected her bold self-expression to her Haitian heritage in the Thread message, saying she is willing to face criticism if it helps future athletes.

“I don’t mind being the first to do something and getting trashed for it,” Osaka said. 

According to WTATennis, her recent form before the US Open has been solid. She reached the semifinals of the Washington DC Open, beating Ashlyn Krueger and Elisabetta Cocciaretto before losing to Alexandra Eala in straight sets.

Complex Sports later shared her Threads post on X, and fans continued to discuss it.

Osaka’s message showed that she accepts criticism when she chooses to do things differently. She also made it clear that she does not want to follow other people’s expectations. 

Fans tell Naomi Osaka to focus on tennis

Some fans reacted to the same Complex Sports’ X post and felt Naomi Osaka was giving too much attention to the fashion debate instead of her tennis.

One critic said Osaka was keeping the topic alive herself. The fan felt she should focus more on her tennis. 

The fan wrote, “clearly gives enough f***** to keep talking about it everywhere but her game. Victim card always.”

The fan felt that Osaka’s continued comments about the criticism were taking attention away from her matches and results.

Another fan went even further. The user said Osaka’s choices were more about herself than helping future players. 

The fan wrote, “Nobody wants you do this for them. You did it to make yourself feel important. You are nobody outside of tennis court.”

Another fan focused on Osaka’s tennis career. The user felt her game should get more attention than her clothes. 

“It’s a n********** generation. She should focus on her tennis and getting back on top. The US Open isn’t New York fashion week,” the comment read. 

The fan clearly believed Osaka should focus on returning to her best tennis instead of continuing the fashion discussion.

The criticism did not stop there. Another fan said Osaka had become less popular after every tournament. 

“She’s becoming more and more unlikeable after every tournament,” the fan wrote.

One of the fans felt Osaka was too focused on herself and saw her continued struggles as a worrying sign.

“Lol she’s so far in her own head! Very sad to see her downward spiral,” a fan wrote. 

Overall, the reactions showed a clear difference in opinion. Osaka wants to express herself and stand by her choices. But some fans want her to keep the focus on her tennis.

Osaka ended her US Open campaign in the quarterfinals. Her fashion choices may continue to get attention, but these reactions show that some fans simply want her to let her tennis do the talking.

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Kapil Manghnani brings over 4.5 years of experience in sports journalism, covering a wide range of sports, including Soccer, NHL, Tennis, Gymnastics, NASCAR, Swimming, and more. He has written for leading sports platforms, producing everything from breaking news and features to in-depth analysis, opinion pieces, long-form stories, and short-form content. Beyond articles, he has also scripted long-form storytelling videos for YouTube channels. His work focuses on delivering well-researched, engaging, and reader-first sports content across multiple formats.

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