Naomi Osaka brought an unmistakable blend of fashion, hoops culture, and tennis to her showstopping 2026 US Open debut.
As one of Nike’s marquee ambassadors, Osaka, 28, showcased court looks inspired by hardwood aesthetics.
The tennis star arrived at Arthur Ashe Stadium with a remarkable nod to NBA icon Allen Iverson.
Osaka’s look featured a sleeveless, cloak-like gray hoodie with distressed cutouts revealing newspaper clippings and photos of herself underneath.
Celebrated image architect and Zendaya’s longtime stylist Law Roach curated the custom walk-on look. It was designed in collaboration with the streetwear label Who Decides War.
The rugged garment met high fashion with a billowing tulle skirt beneath it.
Completing the look, Osaka wore a black Nike compression sleeve on her right arm. She added an oversized red sweatband, a black headband, and styled her hair in swooping cornrows.
Underneath the stylish ensemble, she wore a sleek black skirt and a flowy, cropped black tank top.
“It’s my tribute to Iverson,” Osaka explained during her on-court interview after her first-round win.
Naomi Osaka channeled AI for her 2026 US Open debut 🔥
— B/R Kicks (@brkicks) September 1, 2026
(via @naomiosaka) pic.twitter.com/ZVh6wOViNM
“I really like him a lot, and Nike said basketball, so I said, ‘Okay, you want basketball? I’ll give you basketball.’ But yeah, I just love expressing myself through clothes.”
Iverson, widely recognized as “The Answer,” cemented his status as a cultural fashion icon in 2005.
The Philadelphia 76ers guard’s unapologetic, hip-hop-inspired style pushed the NBA to implement a strict dress code to control his influence.
At the time, Iverson was known for his crossover, flashy jewelry, braids and oversized clothes.
Naomi Osaka on her appreciation for Allen Iverson, who inspired her fit at the US Open 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8ln3lkzxJf
— ESPN (@espn) September 1, 2026
He unintentionally became the catalyst for players adopting streetwear styles, eventually prompting the NBA to crack down on players’ casual attire at official events.
Iverson retired in 2013 after 14 seasons in the league and dozens of accolades. Philadelphia cemented his imprint with a statue in April 2024. But his influence still looms large across sports, culture, and fashion.
While in conversation with “The Breakfast Club” last year, Iverson reflected on that far-reaching legacy.
“I had to take this a** whooping with the dress code,” he shared. “So now, look at everybody. Everybody gives me my flowers for that… You got all these personalities; why would everybody dress the same?”
That spirit of individuality is precisely what drew Osaka to his story. “For me, he’s a trailblazer,” Osaka shared, praising the Hall of Famer’s cultural reach. “I think he’s also someone that I look up to a lot because he’s kind of like done a lot in fashion, whether it’s on purpose or not.”
Her homage extended well beyond her gear. She arrived at her pre-tournament news conference wearing a graphic T-shirt featuring Iverson’s face, signaling early on that her 2026 US Open run would be as much about celebrating culture as playing tennis.
Osaka further elaborated on the tribute.
“He’s shifted the way that NBA players dress. 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.”
The homage was warmly received by the NBA legend himself.
“Wow, what a honor!! BIG FAN can’t wait to meet you,” Iverson captioned an Instagram post sharing Osaka’s interview.
Even his former team chimed in to approve the tribute. Posting on X, the Philadelphia 76ers kept their reaction short and sweet: “Naomi knows ball.”
A second reaction read, “That’s actually fire. Iverson really did change how athletes show up, and Osaka clearly gets it. The Answer still answering.”
An Iverson fan commented, “One thing they can never deny is that AI’s impact has been and will always be legendary.”
Osaka is currently the No. 13 seed at the US Open. Throughout her career, her time on the court has doubled as a runway, featuring avant-garde wardrobe selections and tributes to her Japanese heritage.
