"Naomi Osaka is bringing the Labubu fad to the U.S. Open all the way to at least the quarterfinals. Osaka has played four matches at the Grand Slam tennis tournament so far this year, each time toting a different version of the popular plush toy attached to her racket bag. And she's won each time, too, including a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Coco Gauff on Monday."
"Osaka's Labubus at Flushing Meadows have sported varying color schemes and nicknames, all decked out with shiny get-ups. She brought one she called Billie Jean Bling a la tennis great Billie Jean King, get it? to the court for the first round. That one even has an official U.S. Open credential to prove it, replete with a photo, identifying Ms. Bling as a player guest with full access to player dining."
"The Labubu, with its pointed ears and pointy teeth, was created by artist and illustrator Kasing Lung and made its debut in 2015 via three picture books inspired by Nordic mythology. In 2019, Lung made a deal with Pop Mart, a company that caters to toy connoisseurs and influencers, to sell the figurines. Four years later, when Pop Mart began selling Labubus on key rings, the toothy monsters began to be seen everywhere and the phenomenon really has taken off lately."
Naomi Osaka has brought Labubu plush toys to the U.S. Open, appearing with a different Labubu for each of her four matches and winning each time. She defeated Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-2 to reach at least the quarterfinals. Osaka introduced a shiny silver Labubu named Althea Glitterson as a tribute to Althea Gibson. Earlier Labubus included Billie Jean Bling, La-Billie-Bu, and Arthur Flashe. The U.S. Tennis Association provided a printed credential for Billie Jean Bling, though it cannot be scanned by entrance machines. The Labubu character was created by Kasing Lung in 2015 and later commercialized by Pop Mart.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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