Japanese tennis star and two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka paid tribute to former NBA superstar Allen Iverson.
Osaka made the homage during her first-round clash with Anastasia Zakharova at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday.
The 28-year-old revealed that she has always admired Iverson. She also said that she looked up to him while growing up.
Naomi Osaka channels AI at US Open with first-round get-up
Osaka entered the US Open as the No. 13 seed. She made a memorable entrance before her first-round match.
The Japanese star emerged from the tunnel wearing a long white skirt and a grey hooded robe. The outfit featured newspaper clippings about Osaka.
Her appearance quickly caught the attention of fans inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Osaka also wore cornrows beneath a headband. The hairstyle mirrored Iverson’s famous look during his NBA career.
Iverson won the NBA MVP award with the Philadelphia 76ers. He also led the team to the NBA Finals in 2001. The Los Angeles Lakers defeated Philadelphia in five games.
Osaka explained that Nike requested the outfit’s theme. She said she followed her sponsor’s vision for her look at the tournament.
The former World No. 1 had already shown her admiration for Iverson before the tournament. During Saturday’s media day, she wore a shirt featuring a picture of the six-foot point guard.
Osaka calls Iverson a âtrailblazerâ
Osaka described Iverson as a trailblazer in sports fashion. She praised the NBA legend for expressing himself through his style.
The Japanese star also highlighted Iverson’s influence on fashion in sports.
âI also think the whole conversation around clothes in sports and also just expressing yourself through style, I feel like heâs someone that I look up to in that regard,â Osaka said.
Iverson noticed Osaka’s tribute and responded on Instagram. He wrote: âWow, what an honor!! BIG FAN canât wait to meet you.â
Osaka then produced a competitive performance against Zakharova. She defeated the Russian 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/3) to reach the second round.
The Japanese star built a 5-2 lead in the opening set. Zakharova fought back and forced a tiebreak.
Osaka held her nerve when it mattered. Her experience helped her win the tiebreak 8-6.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Osaka led 5-3 before Zakharova fought back to make it 5-5.
Osaka responded with a strong service game. She held to love and then dominated the second tiebreak.
The victory secured Osaka’s place in the second round of the 2026 US Open.
She will next face Czech Republic’s Katerina Siniakova. Siniakova defeated Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-3, 6-2 in her opening match.
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