Naomi Osaka channels Allen Iverson with basketball-inspired look at US Open 2026
Naomi Osaka turned heads on September 1, 2026 when she entered Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open 2026 wearing a hooded white gown featuring newspaper clippings and later revealed an all-black, basketball-inspired kit that she said was a tribute to Allen Iverson.
She complemented the fashion moment with a victory on court, defeating Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova to progress in the tournament.
The custom tulle and French terry gown was created by Who Decides War and styled by Law Roach, with newspaper clippings from Osaka’s career sewn directly into the fabric and a tulle train trailing behind her.
Nike’s 2026 US Open athlete kits leaned into a basketball theme, and Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka also appeared in hardwood-inspired outfits at the event; Osaka said the all-black kit was a personal nod to Allen Iverson.
On Iverson’s influence, Osaka told reporters, "For me he’s a trailblazer," and added, "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 continued, "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 said Iverson "was an elite player on the court but also found a way to authentically merge culture, sports, and fashion."
Osaka said the city influenced her choice: "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," adding, "I also try to consider my kit as well, so something in the streetwear world made the most sense to me." She described working with Roach as straightforward: "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." On the press-clipping detail, she said, "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.'"
On court, Osaka needed two tiebreaks to beat Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova, ranked 101st in the world, and the match stretched past midnight before she prevailed 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-3). After the win she joked, "I said, ‘OK, you want basketball? I’ll give you basketball'," and added more earnestly, "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."
Osaka will next face Katerina Siniakova, advancing to meet her in the second round.
