Naomi Osaka has once again proved that her Grand Slam entrances are about more than tennis. For her first-round appearance at the 2026 US Open, the four-time Grand Slam champion turned the court into her own fashion runway, paying tribute to basketball legend Allen Iverson with a dramatic look that blended tennis, basketball, and New York street style.
Ahead of her night-session match against Anastasia Zakharova at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Osaka arrived in a custom ensemble by New York-based label Who Decides War, styled by Law Roach. The look featured a hooded grey tunic layered over a flowing white tulle skirt, with newspaper clippings referencing important moments from Osaka’s career sewn into the garment.
But the real tribute became clear when Osaka removed the outer layer.
Underneath was a black Nike look with a vintage basketball feel, paired with cornrows, a headband, and arm sleeves. The styling deliberately referenced Iverson’s unmistakable image during his NBA career, particularly his cornrows and the sleeves that became closely associated with him.
For Osaka, the inspiration was personal.
The tennis star has described Iverson as a trailblazer whose influence extended beyond basketball and into the way athletes think about clothing and self-expression. She has also credited him with helping shift the way NBA players approached fashion.
And the connection was particularly fitting for this year’s US Open, where Nike has incorporated basketball-inspired elements into its athlete looks. Osaka summed up her approach simply after her match: Nike wanted basketball, so she decided to give them basketball.
The look also carried a distinctly personal touch. According to Vogue, Osaka, Roach and Who Decides War designers Téla D’Amore and Ev Bravado had only about 30 hours to create the custom piece. The design drew…
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