Her US Open entrance wasn’t just a fit — it was a full-blown love letter to a basketball legend.
Naomi Osaka has once again turned the US Open tunnel into her personal runway, and this time she brought some serious basketball nostalgia with her. On Monday, Aug. 31, ahead of her first-round showdown with Anastasia Zakharova at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, Osaka stepped out in a look that paid direct homage to NBA icon Allen Iverson, proving once again that her arrivals are just as anticipated as her matches themselves. Fans and fashion editors alike flooded social media within minutes, already comparing the moment to some of her most memorable red-carpet-worthy entrances to date.
What was Naomi Osaka’s US Open look inspired by?
The ensemble centered on an asymmetrical, light gray burnout hoodie made from heavyweight French terry, layered over a flowing white tulle skirt that added an unexpected softness to the otherwise athletic silhouette. Osaka wore her hair braided in a nod to Iverson’s signature style, topped off with an athletic headband, and added mismatched sleeves — black on one arm, red on the other — a small but pointed detail that echoed Iverson’s on-court presence during his playing days. The custom piece came from design house Who Decides War, with creative direction from Law Roach, the celebrity image architect also known for styling Zendaya on some of her most talked-about red carpet moments in recent years.
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The story stitched into the design
Who Decides War’s co-founders, Téla D’Amore and Ev Bravado, shared that the concept drew from Iverson’s classic gray sweats and the rebellious, nonconformist energy he embodied throughout his career, both on and off the court. The hoodie carried an even deeper layer of meaning — newspaper clippings were woven directly into the fabric, symbolizing both the triumphs and setbacks that have defined Osaka’s path in tennis over the years. When her team debuted the look on social media with a moody, bridge-side photo shoot, the caption simply referenced Iverson’s famous nickname, The Answer, tying the visual storytelling together in one quiet, understated gesture.
Once match time arrived, Osaka shed the statement outerwear to reveal a streamlined all-black Nike outfit underneath, complete with a sleeveless crop top and coordinating mesh skirt built for movement. The quick-change moment added another layer to the night’s theatrics, reinforcing that this was as much a performance of style as it was a tennis match, blending fashion and sport in a way that’s become something of a signature for Osaka.
Why does Iverson mean so much to Osaka?
Speaking with reporters before the match, Osaka opened up about her admiration for the former Philadelphia 76ers star. She pointed to him as a trailblazer whose fashion sensibility — once criticized for baggy silhouettes and visible tattoos during an era when the NBA prized a more buttoned-up image — ultimately transformed how players across the league approach personal style today. His influence was so significant that the NBA introduced an official dress code in 2005 in direct response to his rising cultural impact both on and off the hardwood. Osaka even wore a vintage T-shirt to the press conference featuring Iverson’s iconic Soul on Ice SLAM magazine cover, a piece she sourced from eBay specifically ahead of the tournament.
Has Allen Iverson responded to the tribute?
While Osaka admitted the two have never crossed paths in person, her comments didn’t slip past Iverson. He reposted a quote card of her remarks on his own Instagram, expressing genuine appreciation and noting he’s a big fan who’s eager to meet her someday soon — a full-circle moment for a tribute built entirely on admiration from afar.
A running theme in Osaka’s fashion story
This tribute fits into a broader pattern for Osaka, who has consistently used her Grand Slam entrances to tell personal stories through fashion. She wore a graceful white kimono-inspired outfit at Wimbledon this summer to honor her Japanese heritage, and debuted a jellyfish-inspired look at the Australian Open back in January. During last year’s US Open run, she alternated between a red-and-purple ruffled dress each round, finishing the look with a matching bedazzled Labubu that became a signature accessory of its own.
With every appearance, Osaka reinforces that for her, style isn’t separate from sport — it’s woven directly into the performance, one entrance at a time.
Source: USA Today Sports
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