Naomi Osaka has revolutionized the 2026 US Open by turning her entrance onto the court into a true fashion runway. Her presence goes beyond the tennis courts.
An image shared on social media once again filled the tennis player with praise when images related to a cover made in 2021 for a well-known swimwear brand appeared. The work marked a special moment, and Naomi herself shared what it meant to her to be part of that production.
A dress and a… debut
In her US Open debut, Naomi Osaka chose to pay tribute to Allen Iverson through her outfit, hairstyle, and accessories.
The tennis player appeared wearing a light hooded robe made of French terry and a cascading tulle skirt. The design was created by the brand Who Decides War together with stylist Law Roach. The outer garment incorporated cutouts with headlines related to moments in her career. After the draw, Osaka removed part of that outfit and revealed her competition attire from the renowned American sportswear brand.
The player explained that her look had been conceived as a direct reference to the former American basketball player, the NBA’s four-time scoring champion. She had also worn a T-shirt with Iverson’s image at the press conference before the start of the tournament. “This is a tribute to Iverson. I like him a lot,” she said. “I love expressing myself through clothes. I don’t like talking that much.”
Iverson’s tribute was incorporated into a sequence of Osaka appearances during the 2026 Grand Slams. At each tournament, her entrance onto the court was accompanied by garments with personal, cultural, or host-city-related references.
The Japanese tennis player has worn two spectacular and iconic match-entry outfits designed by renowned brands in collaboration with Nike during the latest tournament.
Perhaps that’s why the swimsuit photo reconnected so easily with the public.
Osaka has built an image that combines talent, sensitivity, and a very distinctive personality. She does not need to choose between being a great tennis player and having her own voice in fashion or popular culture; she has shown that she can occupy all those spaces without ceasing to be true to herself.
As fans wait to see her advance in New York, Osaka continues writing her own story, both on and off the court.
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