'A Shocking 250 Million Won Dress Scandal': Japanese Tennis Star Finally Crushed by World No. 1 → "Mocked the Controversy" Eliminated in Round of 16: "This Isn't a Fashion Show..."

*This content was translated by AI.

The Japanese tennis star, who turned the French Open court into a personal fashion show and became the center of controversy and criticism over allegations of special treatment, has finally been eliminated. Naomi Osaka (29) could not overcome the wall of world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

On the 2nd (Korean time), at the Philippe Chatrier Court in Roland Garros, Paris, Osaka faced Sabalenka in the women's singles Round of 16 at the French Open tennis tournament, suffering a decisive 0-2 (5-7, 3-6) defeat. With this loss, Osaka's challenge, which had drawn high expectations for reaching the fourth round at the French Open for the first time in history, came to a futile end in just 1 hour and 27 minutes.

Earlier, Osaka entered the court confidently, wearing her trademark golden dress, as if mocking the fierce public criticism directed at her during this tournament.

However, unlike her flashy costume performance, she showed no brilliance in her actual gameplay.

In the early part of the first set, Osaka took advantage of Sabalenka's double faults to break serve first and take a 2-0 lead, but she immediately conceded the tie after Sabalenka's powerful counterattack. Later, with the game score at 5-5, Osaka failed to block Sabalenka's powerful serve return, and her backhand shot hit the net, ultimately losing the first set 5-7.

In the second set, Osaka fought evenly with Sabalenka up to a game score of 3-3, but she was quickly undone after conceding a break on Sabalenka's exquisite half-volley, eventually dropping her first match point and bowing out.

During this tournament, Osaka stirred up controversy both inside and outside the stadium with her excessive costume staging on the court rather than her performance as a tennis queen. The British media outlet 'Daily Mail' previously highlighted that "Osaka drew sharp criticism for turning the French Open court into a fashion show once again, as if mocking the controversy and criticism directed at her."

Earlier, Osaka sparked controversy by appearing in the tournament's first round against Laura Siegemund (Germany) wearing a black corset and pleated skirt made by deconstructing and reassembling her existing Nike match uniform, which she sponsors. Furthermore, according to a compilation of foreign media reports, the price of the golden dress worn by Osaka is said to have reached as much as 150,000 dollars (approximately 225 million won).

It was nothing short of a public nuisance. Siegemund, who lost at the time, vented her frustration at the unfair rules applied differently only to superstar players in an interview with sports media 'TNT Sports', stating, "I came here to play tennis, not to hold a fashion show," and adding, "I was granted special treatment for a long time of 1 minute and 30 seconds just to take off and put away my costume."

Even in her third-round match against Iga Swiatek (USA), she was criticized for wearing a long skirt that dragged on the court floor over a sparkling golden dress, yet Osaka maintained an audacious attitude throughout. She claimed, "The moment I enter the stadium is the only time I feel like an entertainer," and added, "I enjoy leading people to always wonder about my next outfit."

Ultimately, Osaka, who disregarded her peers' legitimate criticisms and desecrated the court as a venue for show business, was thoroughly crushed by the overwhelming skill of the world's strongest player, Sabalenka, and had to pack her bags bitterly.

Meanwhile, Sabalenka, who defeated Osaka and set a new record by reaching the quarterfinals of 14 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments, shared her thoughts on the victory, saying, "Osaka is an excellent player who plays very aggressive tennis. I was happy to be able to defeat her. I was also surprised that we could face each other in the first-ever night match."

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*This content was translated by AI.