Naomi Osaka paid homage to NBA legend Allen Iverson during her first-round victory at the US Open on Monday, adopting the basketball icon's signature cornrows and arm sleeve in a custom walk-on outfit that blended sports and fashion. The four-time Grand Slam champion defeated Anastasia Zakharova in straight sets at Arthur Ashe Stadium, emerging onto the court in a long white skirt and gray hooded robe decorated with newspaper clippings chronicling her own career highlights.
When Osaka removed her hood, she revealed cornrows styled beneath a headband—Iverson's iconic look during his MVP seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers—paired with an arm sleeve that the Hall of Famer popularized throughout his playing career. According to ESPN's coverage, the outfit was a custom Who Decides War all-white gown featuring black-and-red accents that matched Iverson's 76ers colors. Osaka posted the look on Instagram with the caption "The Answer" before taking the court.
The victory came with a final score of 7-6, 7-6 over Zakharova. According to the Japan Times, the match notation was recorded as 7-6(7-6), 7-6(7-3), marking a strong opening performance for the two-time US Open champion.
Why did Osaka choose Iverson as her inspiration?
Osaka explained her sartorial choice in remarks to reporters after her victory, stating that the tribute reflected her deep admiration for the basketball legend.
"It's my, I guess, my tribute to Iverson. I really like him a lot," Osaka said. "I mean, Nike said basketball, so I said, 'OK, you want basketball, I'll give you basketball.'"
The day before her match, Osaka wore a shirt bearing Iverson's photograph while speaking to the media, elaborating on why she considers him a cultural icon beyond the basketball court.
"I think he's also someone that I look up to a lot, because he's kind done a lot in fashion, whether it's on purpose or not, but he's shifted" the conversation around self-expression through clothing.She continued:
"I also think the whole conversation around clothes in sports and also just expressing yourself through style, I feel like he's someone that I look up to in that regard."
Has Iverson responded to the tribute?
Iverson acknowledged Osaka's homage publicly on social media. Although Osaka noted she has never personally spoken with the basketball icon, he posted a message to her Instagram page on Monday, writing:
"Wow, what a honor!! BIG FAN can't wait to meet you."
How does this fit into Osaka's broader fashion strategy at tournaments?
The Iverson-inspired outfit continues Osaka's established pattern of using major tennis tournaments as platforms for bold, designer-driven fashion statements. At Wimbledon on 29 June 2026, Osaka honored her Japanese heritage with a kimono-inspired all-white dress by Hana Yagi, blending cultural tradition with performance requirements. That same tournament saw walk-on outfits emerge as a trend among players, with Osaka leading the charge in using designer pieces for branding and psychological impact.
At the Australian Open in January 2026, Osaka wore a jellyfish-themed outfit inspired by her daughter's bedtime stories. Her 2026 US Open wardrobe was part of an ongoing collaboration with designer Law Roach, according to reporting on her fashion plans for the tournament.
Who else is making fashion statements at the 2026 US Open?
Osaka is not alone in using basketball-themed attire at this year's tournament. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is wearing an orange dress, one of the signature colors of the New York Knicks, the NBA team that won their first championship since 1973 in June 2026.
What comes next for Osaka?
Following her opening-round victory, Osaka will face Katerina Siniakova in the second round of the 2026 US Open, according to the Japan Times.
Key Facts
- Osaka defeated Anastasia Zakharova 7-6, 7-6 in her US Open first-round match on Monday
- Her custom outfit featured cornrows and an arm sleeve modeled after Allen Iverson's iconic 1990s look with the Philadelphia 76ers
- Iverson publicly responded to the tribute on Instagram, expressing enthusiasm about meeting Osaka
- Osaka's next opponent is Katerina Siniakova in the second round
- The outfit was part of Osaka's broader strategy of using major tournaments as fashion showcases, continuing a pattern established at Wimbledon and the Australian Open
