Osaka emerges for Melbourne opener under white hat and umbrella

MELBOURNE - Naomi Osaka emerged for her first-round encounter at the Australian Open on Tuesday holding a white umbrella and wearing a matching wide-brimmed hat and veil.

The 28-year-old former world number one from Japan is well known for her on-court fashion statements.

She wore her latest outfit as she came out for her night match at centre court, Rod Laver Arena, against Croatia's Antonia Ruzic.

She waved regally to the crowd and the four-time Grand Slam champion then folded up the umbrella and neatly put the hat and veil to the side.

She conducted the pre-match formalities on court wearing part of her outfit on the lower half of her body, but was back in regular tennis kit for the match itself.