Naomi Osaka made another fashion statement as she stepped onto the court for her first-round match at the 2026 US Open, putting her own extravagant spin on Nike’s basketball-inspired New York collection while paying homage to NBA legend Allen Iverson’s iconic style.
Icon!
The absolute roar that went through Ash when Naomi waiting in the tunnel in her dress showed up on the video screen was something else. pic.twitter.com/rYjUXlYjpW
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) September 1, 2026
Arriving at Arthur Ashe Stadium to face Anastasia Zakharova in the opening-night match, Osaka once again turned heads in a dramatic floor-length look. She created a striking juxtaposition by pairing a long white tulle skirt that evoked bridal or ballroom glamour with the raw streetwear edge of an asymmetrical, sleeveless hoodie that trailed behind her like a cape.
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Irregular, frayed fabric patches gave the hoodie a deliberately distressed, deconstructed edge, while close-up photos revealed newspaper clippings woven into the fabric.
Naomi Osaka on her appreciation for Allen Iverson, who inspired her fit at the US Open 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8ln3lkzxJf
— ESPN (@espn) September 1, 2026
She styled her hair in Iverson-inspired braids, finished with a sporty headband, and wore mismatched athletic sleeves, black on one arm and red on the other. Once she removed the light grey hoodie and her “wedding skirt,” Osaka played the match in the Nike Fall NO Tank and Nike Fall NO Skirt, both from Nike’s special Naomi Osaka collection that we’ve previously covered.
Her black, NYC-inspired shoes are also available to purchase.
The fashion was spectacular, but the tennis required absolute grit. Facing world No. 101 Zakharova under the prime-time lights, the 13th-seeded Osaka was forced to work exceptionally hard to secure her spot in the second round, where she will face Katerina Siniakova.
Osaka started the match strong, using her trademark baseline depth to establish a seemingly commanding 5-2 lead. However, Zakharova mounted a ferocious comeback, exploiting unforced errors to storm back and push the set into a high-stakes tiebreak. Showing veteran composure, Osaka saved critical points to outlast her opponent and lock down the opening frame 7-6(6).
Naomi Osaka practices on Ashe ahead of her much-anticipated US Open R1 match tonight. pic.twitter.com/FrFgInE6Gd
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) August 31, 2026
The second set followed a similarly tight script, with both players trading blows from the back of the court. Osaka leaned heavily on her service weapon, firing 11 aces throughout the match and winning 75% of her first-serve points to keep Zakharova at bay. The set once again moved into a tiebreak, where Osaka elevated her precision to wrap up the match 7-6(3), avoiding a dangerous third set and advancing safely to the next round.
