Belgian tennis star Elise Mertens attracted attention at the Australian Open with her surprise switch to a new apparel sponsor: Osaka World. Known for her long-standing association with Lotto, which she sported during her recent run to the Hobart International final, Mertens debuted her fresh partnership with Osaka World during her first-round match in Melbourne.
In a thrilling match, Mertens ended the 15-match winning streak of qualifier Viktorija Golubic. She saved two match points in the second-set tiebreak before sealing a hard-fought 4-6 7-6(8) 6-4 victory, progressing to the next round in her Osaka Women Court Tank Top and Osaka Women Floucy Skort in the color future dusk.
Introducing Osaka World
Osaka World is a brand founded in 2011 with roots in hockey and a vision to merge hockey heritage with lifestyle. The brand takes its name from Osaka, one of Japan’s largest cities, inspired by Japanese culture and design. Its ethos reflects the minimalism, functionality, and clean aesthetics often associated with Japanese craftsmanship—a philosophy where less is more.
“Hockey is our DNA, it’s our core, our heritage,” states Osaka World on their website. “Our mission was to create durable, premium products with refined design sensibilities.” Staying true to this philosophy, the brand focuses on crafting products that are clean, simple, and straightforward in design.
With its venture into tennis, Osaka World seeks to extend its hallmark principles of simplicity, functionality, and durability to a broader audience. Announcing their collaboration with Mertens on social media, the brand expressed its enthusiasm and vision for the future:
“We are beyond excited to welcome Elise Mertens to Team Osaka! A powerhouse on the court and a true ambassador of hard work and dedication, Elise perfectly embodies what it means to strive for greatness. Stay tuned for this exciting partnership—we’re ready to take it to the next level together.”
This partnership signals Osaka World’s bold step into the tennis world, leveraging Mertens’ influence to solidify its presence in a new sporting arena.
Women’s Tennis Blog