Why Naomi Osaka walked onto US Open court in gray hoodie and cornrows
Naomi Osaka paid tribute to NBA legend Allen Iverson at the 2026 US Open, arriving in a gray hooded robe before revealing a black outfit and cornrows inspired by his style. Osaka said she admired Iverson’s influence on sports fashion. She then defeated Anastasia Zakharova in straight sets and advanced to the second round against Katerina Siniakova.
At the 2026 US Open, Naomi Osaka made a daring fashion statement on Arthur Ashe Stadium for her first-round match against Anastasia Zakharova. Dressed in a long white skirt, a gray hoodie adorned with newspaper clippings, and cornrows styled beneath a headband, Osaka paid homage to NBA legend Allen Iverson, a fashion icon she greatly admired.
The four-time Grand Slam champion explained that her outfit was a tribute to Iverson, who influenced sports fashion. Osaka, having previously spoken about Iverson's impact on NBA players' fashion choices, expressed her admiration for him. Iverson, who had not communicated with Osaka prior to the match, responded on Instagram, expressing his excitement to meet the tennis star.
Despite the challenging match, Osaka emerged victorious, marking her 79th Grand Slam match win and her 29th opening-round triumph at a major. She will next face Katerina Siniakova, with whom she holds a 2-1 career record.
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