Naomi Osaka's US Open look - A nod to Allen Iverson
Osaka was all style at Arthur Ashe Stadium
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There’s a reason people show up early when Japanese tennis sensation Naomi Osaka walks onto a court these days, and it’s not just to watch her serve.
She did something different at the US Open 2026: Osaka stepped into Arthur Ashe Stadium, wrapped in a hooded white gown, one with actual newspaper clippings from her career sewn into the fabric, a tulle train trailing behind her.
Once the gown came off, though, the story underneath was different. She was wearing an all-black basketball-inspired kit, something she later said was a personal nod to Allen Iverson.
Nike had leaned into basketball as the theme for its 2026 US Open athletes, and Osaka wasn’t the only one working it into her look; Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka both showed up in their own hardwood-inspired outfits too. But Osaka’s connection to Iverson felt more personal than a marketing tie-in.
“For me he’s a trailblazer,” she said. “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.”
She kept going, clearly meaning every word of it. “He’s shifted the way NBA players dress, and I also think, like, the whole conversation about clothes in sports, and also just expressing yourself through style.”
Talking to Vogue separately, she put it another way too, saying Iverson “was an elite player on the court but also found a way to authentically merge culture, sports, and fashion”.
More than just a costume change
Osaka also opened up about why the city itself shaped the look. “The US Open has always felt like a homecoming of sorts, so I wanted to harness the energy and vibe of the city into my look,” she said, adding,
“I also try to consider my kit as well, so something in the streetwear world made the most sense to me.”
She said working with stylist Law Roach felt easy because of how much trust was already there: “I shared my ideas and concepts and countless photos with him, and then we decided on which brand we felt could deliver on what my wishes were, but with their interpretation.”
The newspaper clippings almost didn’t happen at all, until Roach sent her the idea days before her fitting. “The original design didn’t have the press clippings in the fabric, and a few days before our fitting Law sent it to me and I immediately said ‘YES.'”
As for the tennis itself, it wasn’t as smooth as the outfit. Osaka needed two tiebreaks to beat Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova, ranked 101st in the world, winning 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-3) in a match that stretched past midnight.
Still, she seemed more excited about what’s coming next than what just happened. “I said, ‘OK, you want basketball? I’ll give you basketball’,” she joked about the outfit choice before turning serious about her season.
“I want to do well, and I want to show you guys some more outfits. So hopefully, I can keep playing some more matches in front of you guys.”
She’ll face Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic next, and if this season has taught anyone anything, it’s that Osaka isn’t done surprising people.
Why did Naomi Osaka wear an all-black basketball-inspired kit at the 2026 US Open?
The look was inspired by NBA legend Allen Iverson, tying into Nike’s basketball-themed approach to its 2026 US Open athlete kits. Other players, including Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka, also wore hardwood-inspired looks this year.
Who designed Naomi Osaka’s entrance gown at the 2026 US Open?
The custom tulle and French terry gown was made by Who Decides War and styled by Law Roach, with newspaper clippings from Osaka’s career sewn directly into the fabric.
Did Naomi Osaka win her first-round match at the 2026 US Open?
Yes. She defeated Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova, ranked 101st in the world, 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-3) in a match that went past midnight before advancing to face Katerina Siniakova in the second round.