Naomi Osaka stepped onto the Arthur Ashe Stadium stage at the US Open with a fashion statement that unmistakably echoed the iconic style of former NBA star Allen Iverson. The two‑time champion emerged from the tunnel wearing a flowing white skirt and a hooded robe adorned with newspaper clippings that chronicled her own achievements. When she peeled away the robe to reveal a sleek black ensemble underneath, she sported cornrow braids—a nod to the hairstyle Iverson popularized during his MVP season with the Philadelphia 76ers. This visual tribute was not a fleeting gimmick; Osaka explained that it was a deliberate homage, saying, "It's my, I guess, my tribute to Iverson.
I really like him a lot. I mean, Nike said basketball, so I said, 'OK, you want basketball, I'll give you basketball.'" The outfit set the tone for a match that proved to be a tight contest. Osaka faced Russia's Anastasia Zakharova in the first round and edged out a win in two tiebreak sets, 7‑6 (8‑6), 7‑6 (7‑3). The victory propelled her into the second round and reinforced her reputation for delivering under pressure.
Beyond the court, Osaka continued to celebrate Iverson during her media duties. She wore a shirt featuring Iverson's portrait and described him as a "trailblazer" who has reshaped the way basketball players think about clothing and self‑expression.
"I think he's also someone that I look up to a lot, because he's kind of done a lot in fashion, whether it's on purpose or not, but he's shifted the way that NBA players dress," Osaka told reporters. She added that the broader conversation about athletes using fashion as a personal voice resonates with her own approach to sport and style. "I also think the whole conversation around clothes in sports and also just expressing yourself through style, I feel like he's someone that I look up to in that regard," she said. Although Osaka and Iverson have never spoken directly, the basketball legend responded to her tribute on Instagram, posting, "Wow, what an honor!!
BIG FAN can't wait to meet you." The exchange highlighted the cross‑sport admiration that can occur when athletes push boundaries beyond their primary disciplines. While Osaka's tribute captured headlines, other notable stories unfolded across the tournament.
Former champion Iga Swiatek, the eighth seed from Poland, began her campaign with a convincing 6‑2, 6‑3 win over China's Wang Xiyu. Swiatek, who captured her first title of a roller‑coaster season in Toronto and later reached the Cincinnati semi‑finals, expressed confidence after her 88‑minute match.
"For sure it was a good day in the office," she said, noting her energy and intensity from the outset. She emphasized her focus on refining the small details of her game, especially on a surface that has historically challenged her. American hopeful Ben Shelton also made headlines, rallying from a 1‑6 first‑set loss to defeat Tallon Griekspoor 1‑6, 6‑1, 7‑6 (7‑3), 6‑2. Shelton, who hopes to become the first American man to claim the US Open title since 2003, entered New York with momentum after defending his Canadian Open crown.
He acknowledged the difficulty of facing Griekspoor, who had recently upset top seed Alexander Zverev in Montreal, but credited his own resilience for turning the match around. "I started off a little bit nervous tonight, but I found my rhythm at some point through the second set," Shelton explained. "Obviously, a lot of credit to Tallon, he's a good player to play, he doesn't give you a lot of rhythm. He has an attacking game style and I found things really difficult for the first set tonight." Veteran Stan Wawrinka, playing his final Grand Slam before retirement, fell to Italy's Matteo Berrettini in straight sets, 7‑6 (7‑4), 7‑6 (7‑3), 6‑0.
The 41‑year‑old reflected on his two‑decade journey at Flushing Meadows, saying, "It's been 20 years since the first time I came here. It was amazing for me to feel the New York vibes throughout the years. I found the way to play my best tennis here." Berrettini, a 2019 semi‑finalist, will next meet Argentine Mariano Navone, who shocked the tournament by ousting fourth‑seed Novak Djokovic in a five‑set thriller. The US Open continues to deliver drama both on and off the court, blending athletic excellence with cultural moments like Osaka's Iverson‑inspired look.
Fans can follow live coverage on Sky Sports, stream matches contract‑free via NOW, or catch highlights on the Sky Sports app. The tournament's blend of fashion, rivalry, and historic milestones ensures that each day brings fresh narratives for tennis enthusiasts worldwide.