Naomi Osaka pays tribute to Allen Iverson with striking US Open outfit

Naomi Osaka pays tribute to Allen Iverson with striking US Open outfit.

Key points

• The look was created by Who Decides War and overseen by celebrity image architect Law Roach.
• The tennis superstar had another grand entrance for her tunnel walk at the US Open on Monday, Aug.
• "For me, he's a trail blazer, " Osaka remarked while wearing a T-shirt featuring an image of his famous "Soul on Ice" SLAM magazine cover.
• Before the match, Osaka informed the media concerning how she is inspired by the NBA and its fashion icon.

Naomi Osaka pays tribute to Allen Iverson with striking US Open outfit. Victoria Hernandez USA TODAY. Naomi Osaka on the red carpet of the 2026 Met Gala. Naomi Osaka walks the red carpet at the 2026 Met Gala. For context, the Naomi Osaka fashion show has touched down in New York.

For context, the tennis superstar had another grand entrance for her tunnel walk at the US Open on Monday, Aug. 31 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. This time, her muse was Allen Iverson.

Ahead of her first-round match against Anastasia Zakharova, Osaka walked onto the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium wearing an asymmetrical light gray burnout hoodie and a white tulle skirt. She wore her hair in braids like Iverson's signature style with an athletic headband and additionally had a black athletic sleeve on one arm and a red one on the other. The look was created by Who Decides War and overseen by celebrity image architect Law Roach. This person is additionally Zendaya's stylist.

After the match began, Osaka's social media team shared an Instagram gallery of a grunge photo shoot where the two-time US Open champion is modeling the look in front of a bridge. Close-up photos reveal newspaper clippings woven into the hoodie. The caption notes simply, "The Answer."

Before the match, Osaka informed the media concerning how she is inspired by the NBA and its fashion icon. Iverson drew criticism during his playing days for wearing oversized clothes and showcasing his tattoos. The league created a dress code in 2005 after he was gaining popularity.

"For me, he's a trail blazer, " Osaka remarked while wearing a T-shirt featuring an image of his famous "Soul on Ice" SLAM magazine cover. "He's additionally someone that I look up to a lot as he's kind of like done a lot in fashion, whether it's on purpose or not. But it's shifted the way that NBA players dress and I additionally think the whole conversation around clothes in sports and additionally just expressing yourself through style."

Osaka remarked in the press conference that the two have not met. But her words reached The Answer. This person reposted a quote card on Instagram of the tennis star expressing her appreciation for his influence.

"Wow, what a honor!" Iverson remarked. "BIG FAN can't wait to meet you."

Osaka has embraced her own sense of style throughout her tennis career. This summer, she wore an elegant white kimono-style outfit celebrating her Japanese heritage for Wimbledon. In January, she wore a jellyfish-inspired outfit for the Australian Open.

At last year's US Open, she went back and forth between a ruffled dress in red and purple. She had a matching bedazzled Labubu for each round of the tournament. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

Taken together, the developments around naomi Osaka pays tribute to Allen Iverson with striking US Open outfit point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.