'Same impact': Casey Dellacqua's hilarious Target response to Naomi Osaka's bold fashion statement
Updated . First published at
MELBOURNE: Naomi Osaka's wild wardrobe choice has been the biggest viral moment of the Australian Open so far.
But those with long memories will recall a little-known Western Australian creating her own fashion splash at Melbourne Park "many moons ago."
Casey Dellacqua had a breakthrough run at her home grand slam in 2008, reaching the fourth round to the delight of Aussie fans.
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Casey Dellacqua tries on some Target gear while playing at the Australian Open in 2008. Getty
During that memorable week Dellacqua revealed that she didn't have a sponsorship deal and that she bought her own tennis clothes at Target.
Of course that was a no brainer for the Target marketing team and Dellacqua was soon fronting some down-to-earth fashion campaigns.
Chris Stubbs, the host of Stan Sport's Grand Slam Daily, asked Dellacqua what her "honest" reaction was when Osaka strolled onto Rod Laver with a white hat, face-concealing veil and a matching umbrella.
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"Look, it reminded me of when I walked out in Target many, many moons ago," Dellacqua said.
"It reminded me of the same kind of impact. No look, I feel like I'm not in a position, Stubbsy to be a fashion critic.
"I'm just going to sit on the fence and enjoy the entertainment. I guess fashion is subjective, right? You either like it or you don't. The entertainment factor, from a broadcast perspective - yeah, I like it...
Casey Dellacqua tries on some Target gear while playing at the Australian Open in 2008. Getty
"She won the match - I do feel like you've got to back it up."
The 16th seed from Japan did have some wobbles in a tricky three set battle with Antonia Ruzic.
"She was starting to have some pressure in the second set. Imagine if she's walked out like that and loses in the first round," Stubbs noted.
"When she walked out, at first I was like 'this is a tennis court not a catwalk.' But then I thought, you know what, we need personality and she made that statement.
"She had to win, which she did."
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