Naomi Osaka Channels NBA Icon Allen Iverson in Bold US Open Court Entrance

NEW YORK – Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka turned the Arthur Ashe Stadium into her own personal runway during the 2026 US Open, debuting a high-fashion look that paid homage to one of basketball’s greatest style icons.

As she walked onto the court for her first-round clash against Anastasia Zakharova, Osaka bypassed traditional tennis whites for an ensemble that blended athletic heritage with street-culture flair. Dressed in a long white skirt paired with a newspaper-print gray hooded robe, she completed the look with her hair styled in cornrows tucked under a headband—a signature aesthetic famously popularized by NBA legend Allen Iverson during his tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The tribute was far from accidental. Osaka, a long-time admirer of the Hall of Famer, revealed that the outfit was a direct response to a design directive from her sponsor.

“Nike said basketball, so I said, ‘OK, you want basketball, I’ll give you basketball,’” Osaka shared following her hard-fought 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3) victory. “It’s my tribute to Iverson. I really like him a lot.”

The tennis star has frequently praised Iverson for his role as a cultural pioneer who shifted the paradigm of how professional athletes use fashion to express their identities. In pre-tournament interviews, Osaka noted that Iverson’s influence extended well beyond his legendary crossover dribble, pointing to his impact on the personal branding of modern NBA players.

“He’s someone that I look up to a lot, because he’s done a lot in fashion… he’s shifted the way that NBA players dress,” Osaka remarked. “The whole conversation around clothes in sports and just expressing yourself through style—I feel like he’s someone that I look up to in that regard.”

The homage resonated quickly with the basketball legend himself. Despite the two never having met, Iverson took to Instagram to express his appreciation, posting, “Wow, what an honor!! BIG FAN can’t wait to meet you.”

A Hard-Fought Opening Victory

Beyond the fashion statement, Osaka’s time on court proved to be a challenging test of endurance. While she established early leads in both sets—jumping to 5-2 in the first and 5-3 in the second—her opponent, Anastasia Zakharova, proved resilient. Zakharova clawed her way back on both occasions, forcing intense tiebreaks that ultimately showcased Osaka’s composure under pressure.

With this win, Osaka notched her 79th career Grand Slam match victory and her 29th successful opening-round performance at a major championship. As she advances to the second round, the tennis world is eager to see both her performance on the court and what sartorial choices she might bring to her next match against Czech player Katerina Siniakova. Osaka currently holds a 2-1 career record against Siniakova.

To read more about the inspiration behind this standout style moment, you can view the full story on why Naomi Osaka opted for this unique look during the tournament.