Naomi Osaka’s Secret Weapon at the US Open? A Doll Named ‘Billie Jean Bling’
Naomi Osaka kicked off her US Open campaign with a solid win, but let’s be honest, the real star of the show wasn’t her powerful forehand. It was her tiny, sparkly sidekick. After dispatching Belgium’s Greet Minnen 6-3, 6-4, Osaka used her post-match interview to introduce the world to her new good luck charm: a Labubu doll she hilariously named “Billie Jean Bling.”
When asked if there was anything special the audience should know about, Osaka, with a completely straight face, held up the glitzy figurine and declared, “This is my Labubu. She’s named Billie Jean Bling. Not Billie Jean King.” The crowd ate it up. It was a classic Osaka moment—a blend of endearing awkwardness and pure, unfiltered personality that reminds you why she’s a fan favorite. In a sport often defined by intense, media-trained athletes, Osaka brings a refreshing dose of reality, and this time, a bedazzled doll.
What is a Labubu, and Why Should You Care?
If you’re scratching your head and frantically Googling “Labubu,” you’re not alone. These mischievous-looking elf-like creatures are designer art toys that have been blowing up in pop culture circles. Think of them as the cooler, edgier cousins of Funko Pops. They’ve become a cult favorite, and now, thanks to Osaka, they’ve officially made their Grand Slam debut. Her choice of name, “Billie Jean Bling,” is a cheeky, sparkling nod to the legendary Billie Jean King, a pioneer of women’s tennis. It’s a perfect encapsulation of Naomi ‘s persona: respectful of the sport’s history but determined to write her own, much more glittery, chapter. This isn’t just a toy; it’s a statement piece.
Beyond the doll, Osaka also turned heads with her Nike outfit—a cropped jacket and a vibrant red bubble-hem skirt that screamed confidence. It seems her on-court style is finally matching the boldness of her off-court personality, and we’re here for it.
Is Osaka Back in Championship Form?
While “Billie Jean Bling” was hogging the limelight, let’s not forget there was an actual tennis match. And Osaka looked sharp. This wasn’t a walk in the park; she had to fight for it. After losing an early break in the first set, she powered through to take it 6-3. In the second, she found herself trailing 3-4 before flipping a switch and reeling off three straight games to close out the match. It was the kind of gritty performance that wins championships.
This victory is another promising sign in her comeback journey after maternity leave. The swagger is returning, the serves are landing, and the baseline power is as intimidating as ever. As a two-time US Open champion (2018, 2020), Osaka knows what it takes to win in New York, and she seems to be rediscovering that championship formula.
Her recent run to the final at the WTA 1000 in Montreal proved she’s not just here to participate; she’s here to contend. The more matches she wins, the more dangerous she becomes. Confidence is everything in tennis, and right now, Osaka and her sparkly sidekick are accumulating it in spades.
The road ahead is far from easy, though. Next, she faces American Hailey Baptiste, a rising star who’s having a breakout season and will have the full force of a passionate home crowd behind her. It will be a true test of Osaka’s mettle. But if she can get through that, who knows? Maybe we’ll see “Billie Jean Bling” holding up a Grand Slam trophy in a couple of weeks. And honestly, what could be more iconic than that?
