Naomi Osaka is known for a multitude of accomplishments. She holds four Grand Slam singles titles—two each at the Australian Open and the US Open. She was ranked world No. 1 in women’s singles for 25 weeks and is the first Asian player to hold the top singles ranking. But beyond her achievements on the court—and all while being a mother—Osaka also knows how to design a great sneaker.
On May 19, Naomi Osaka unveiled the Naomi Osaka x Nike GP Challenge 1, designed for the French Open. The sneaker is the epitome of femininity in sneaker form, even at first glance. An overwhelming hue of pink frames the silhouette. The “Pink Foam” colorway features a blend of baby pink, pale pink, lilac flecks on the tongue, and a deeper rose, all juxtaposed by a ribbed rubber texture at the toe and a patterned midsole.
Designed with Parisian taste in mind, featuring ornate bouquet from the French Baroque era. “Deep purples and metallic gold are inspired by dark, rich gemstones and grounded in black to match Naomi’s personal style.” says Nike in a statement.
This isn’t the first time Osaka has designed a shoe with location in mind—or heritage, for that matter. In 2021, she premiered the Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo “US Open” at the tournament. On one side of the sneaker, an “NY” patch represents the location of the 2021 US Open. A Japanese flag is also featured to represent her half-Asian heritage, and on the opposing side, there is a Haitian flag to represent her half-Haitian heritage. At the French Open, Osaka paired these sneakers with an equally pink outfit, wearing a pale pink Nike tennis dress, a hot pink visor, rose-colored wristbands, and hot pink butterfly clips.
The Naomi Osaka x Nike GP Challenge 1 are available on Nike.com and retail for $180.