Why Naomi Osaka took to the US Open court in a gray hoodie and cornrows

Naomi Osaka (Photo Reuters) NEW DELHI: Naomi Osaka made a bold statement at the 2026 US Open, combining tennis with basketball-inspired fashion as she entered the Arthur Ashe Stadium for her first-round match against Anastasia Zakharova.She arrived in a long white skirt and a gray hooded robe covered in newspaper-style clippings. Underneath, she wore black clothing and her hair was styled in curls under a headband, a look strongly associated with NBA legend Allen Iverson during his 76 years in Philadelphia.The four-time Grand Slam champion explained that her outfit was a personal tribute to Iverson, whom she has long admired for influencing sports fashion.“I think it’s my tribute to Iverson. I really like him a lot,” Osaka said after the 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3) win. “I mean, Nike said basketball, so I said, ‘OK, you want a basketball, I’ll give you a basketball.’Osaka talked about Iverson before the tournament, calling him a trailblazer who changed the way NBA players approached fashion and self-expression.“I think he’s also someone I look up to a lot because he’s done a lot in fashion, whether it’s intentional or not, but he’s changed the way NBA players dress,” Osaka said on Saturday. “Also, I think the whole conversation about clothing in sports and also just expressing yourself through style, I feel like he’s someone I look up to in that regard.”Watch:Iverson, who had never interacted with Osaka before, responded to her tribute on Instagram: “Wow, what an honor! HUGE FAN can’t wait to see you.”

Osaka survives a tough opener

On the court, Osaka had to work hard for her victory. She led 5:2 in the first set and 5:3 in the second, but Zakharová fought back both times and forced tiebreaks. Osaka ended up winning both and secured her place in the second round.The victory marked her 79th Grand Slam victory and 29th opening-round victory at a major. She will next face the Czech player Kateřina Siniaková, against whom she holds a career record of 2:1.