Naomi Osaka’s US Open look was celebrated by supporters as a personal tribute and a wider case for athletes’ self-expression, while past criticism of her high-fashion entrances has framed them as a distraction from competition.

At Arthur Ashe Stadium, Osaka turned a first-round match into another moment in tennis’s ongoing contest between tradition and style. The four-time major champion then ensured the outfit was not the only headline, beating Anastasia Zakharova 7-6, 7-6 to reach the second round.

Osaka arrived in a white skirt and grey hooded robe decorated with clippings from her career before revealing a basketball-inspired kit, cornrows beneath a headband and an arm sleeve—details associated with former Philadelphia 76ers star Allen Iverson. She called it “my tribute to Iverson,” adding that Nike’s basketball brief prompted her to “give you basketball.”¹

Her argument is that Iverson’s influence extends beyond the court. Osaka described him as “a trailblazer” whose impact helped change how NBA players dress and expanded the conversation around “expressing yourself through style.”² Iverson responded on Instagram that he was a “BIG FAN” and hoped to meet her, according to reports.³

The tribute fits a pattern: Osaka has used kimono-inspired, jellyfish-themed and other custom looks at recent majors. But those appearances have also invited dissent. At the French Open, Laura Siegemund said she had come “to play tennis, not to put on a fashion show,” while Donna Vekic countered that critics should “relax” because an outfit is simply another form of expression.³

Osaka’s position bridges the divide more than it rejects tennis itself. Her wardrobe makes a statement, but her narrow victory—secured with 11 aces despite 30 unforced errors—kept the focus on a player seeking both creative freedom and another deep run in New York.³