Tennis star Naomi Osaka stepped onto Arthur Ashe Stadium for her first-round US Open match on August 31, 2026, wearing a custom Who Decides War outfit and cornrows that paid tribute to NBA legend Allen Iverson.
Arthur Ashe Stadium Entrance and the Allen Iverson Tribute
When Naomi Osaka walked out for her tournament opener at Arthur Ashe Stadium on August 31, 2026, she turned her court entrance into a high-profile fashion statement emerging on to the court wearing a long, white skirt and a gray, hooded robe featuring newspaper clippings about her. Styled by Law Roach, the dramatic custom ensemble was crafted by New York-based label Who Decides War and paired with a flowing white tulle skirt. Days before the 2026 US Open, tennis star Ben Shelton debuted a snakeskin windbreaker from another “coming soon” collaboration between Zendaya, her stylist Law Roach, and the Swiss athletic label On. The pre-tournament teaser inspired fans to switch from watching red carpets to tennis courts. Good thing they did: On August 31, the image architect dressed Naomi Osaka in a custom Who Decides War outfit worthy of a movie premiere for her return to the US Open. After partnering with Roach, whom the tennis icon called a creative force,
the new collaborators decided on the brand Who Decides War to deliver on what my wishes were, but with their interpretation,
Osaka told Vogue.
Once she reached the court and pulled back her hood, Osaka revealed cornrows tucked beneath a headband alongside a red sweatband and a black Nike sleeve. The look was an explicit homage to former Philadelphia 76ers Allen Iverson during his MVP playing career, capturing the early 2000s basketball aesthetic. Osaka wore a long hooded, white/light gray custom fit for her arrival, complete with a red sweatband on her left arm and a black Nike sleeve on her right. She also wore a black-and-red headband and an all-black outfit for her match with Zakharova, all of which gave Iverson vibes and matched the colors of his longtime NBA team, the Philadelphia 76ers (from when he played) and the Nike arm sleeve, which Iverson was among the first to wear during games.
It’s my, I guess, my tribute to Iverson,
Naomi Osaka said. Osaka appeared in the arena wearing a hooded tunic decorated with patchwork-style panels featuring newspaper clippings about her previous performances at the tournament, and the look was also complemented by a white tulle train.
The tennis player said it was her tribute to Iverson, whom she likes very much. According to her, Nike proposed a basketball theme, and she decided to develop it fully, noting that she enjoys expressing herself through clothing.
First-Round Match Against Anastasia Zakharova
Osaka’s performance on the court in Monday’s night session was less stylish, however. The Japanese 13th seed, who won the Flushing Meadows title in 2018 and 2020, faltered after a strong start and ultimately needed to dig deep to see off Zakharova. Osaka broke at the first opportunity to take a 2-0 lead in the opener and although she was unable to convert another chance to go 4-0 ahead, still looked comfortable when she moved 5-2 up. However, Zakharova showed heart as she rallied to take the opener into a tie-break and fought back from another early break down in the second. Osaka defeated Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova in the first round of the US Open, 7:6 (8:6), 7:6 (7:3). The two-time tournament champion took to the Arthur Ashe Stadium court in an outfit dedicated to NBA Hall of Fame member Allen Iverson, ABC News Australia reports. Zakharova is ranked 101st in the world.
Osaka’s superb serve came to the fore as she opened up a commanding 5-1 lead in the second tie-break, going on to complete victory just before 00:30 local time and avoiding the need for a deciding set. The former world number one will face the Czech Republic’s Katerina Siniakova in the second round – and promised her fans there will be another sartorial surprise. I wanted to play well because I wanted to show you guys some more outfits,
she said after the match. I love expressing herself through clothes – because I don't like talking too much.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka made a commanding return to the US Open on Monday evening, securing a gritty first-round victory while delivering a high-profile sartorial tribute to NBA icon Allen Iverson. Entering Arthur Ashe Stadium under the lights, the 28-year-old tennis superstar merged athletic performance with cultural commentary. The entrance underscored Osaka’s unique position in the sporting landscape—an elite competitor who utilizes fashion to challenge traditional boundaries and express a multidimensional public identity.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Naomi Osaka of Japan looks on against Anastasia Zakharova during their Women’s Singles First Round match on Day Two of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.