Tennis professional Naomi Osaka is receiving rave reviews and admirations from many Ghanaians and Africans after she was spotted with a kente headwrap in the aftermath of her US Open triumph over Victoria Azarenka.
At a relatively young age of 22, her sense of awareness has been described as one that appears to transcend and belies her age.
“I would like to thank my ancestors, because every time I remember their blood runs through my veins I am reminded that I cannot lose,” Osaka tweeted last Sunday, September 13, ahead of the US Open final match.
In the wake of her decisive win, however, Osaka made a styling choice that was both celebratory and subtly intentional.
You already know I had to bring out the headwrap for this one 😉 pic.twitter.com/YAlLk01hwm
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) September 13, 2020
Sporting a traditional headwrap made from Ghanaian kente cloth while holding up her trophy, Osaka paid tribute to the Haitian side of her family, where similar West African styles are used to mark significant or sentimental moments in their wearers’ lives.
In the words of Osaka herself, that she shared to Instagram after the dust settled: “You already know I had to bring out the headwrap for this one.”
Her post received many reactions and likes, with many asking if she has African and Ghanaian roots.
Thank you for promoting African Fashion. Me and my friends have decided to start a small fashion outlet and we will do a collection from some our girls who come up with excellent design like your outfit in our small outlets. Hope we can use this picture
— clarence chia (@ChiaNation) September 14, 2020
Congratulations! The Ancestors are proud of you 🥰
— Stephen Anti (@stephenanti) September 14, 2020
Are you from Ghana 🇬🇭 Babe Osaka ??
— Ghassan Slailati (@GSlailati) September 13, 2020
