NEW YORK — Naomi Osaka has a lucky charm at this year’s US Open—actually, five of them and counting.
The former world No. 1 has gone viral for unveiling custom-made, tennis-themed Labubu figurines, each crystallized in rhinestones and given a hilarious tennis pun name. So far, Osaka has introduced Billie Jean Bling, Arthur Flashe, LaBillieBu, Althea Glitterson, and, after her quarterfinal win on Wednesday night, Andre Swaggassi.
“Honestly I’m not a Labubu collector!” Osaka told reporters in New York. “This is kind of like a one-time thing for the tournament. It kind of started as a joke, so I’m glad people are liking it.”
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Each sparkling figure takes about 13 hours to make and is crafted by NYC artist Kerin Rose Gold of A-Morir Studio, who has also designed Osaka’s crystalized rose hairpieces and headphones, according to Yahoo! Life. Gold started with the red Billie Jean Bling and the purple Arthur Flashe to match Osaka’s flower-inspired Nike outfits. Now she’s hand-making new ones after each of Osaka’s wins.
