Naomi Osaka opens 2026 U.S. Open with Allen Iverson-inspired entrance and first-round win

Osaka's Iverson-inspired look and Round 1 victory

Naomi Osaka advanced to the second round of the 2026 U.S. Open on Monday with a 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-3) victory over Anastasia Zakharova at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y. The Japanese tennis pro made her entrance in a custom Who Decides War look built around Iverson references: a white tulle skirt, a sleeveless hoodie covered in newspaper clippings about herself, a Nike headband, red and black armbands, and her hair in cornrows. In her post-match interview, Osaka framed the outfit as a tribute to the retired Philadelphia 76ers guard. "I guess, my tribute to Iverson," she said. "I really like him a lot. Nike said basketball so I said, 'Okay, you want basketball? I'll give you basketball.'"

Why she chose Iverson

Osaka first telegraphed the homage during a pre-match interview Saturday, where she wore a shirt featuring Iverson's face and called him a "trailblazer" for reshaping how NBA players dress and how athletes express themselves through style. She said Iverson's influence, intentional or not, helped open broader conversations about clothing in sports. Iverson, 51, responded on Instagram after Monday's win, writing, "Wow, what a honor!! BIG FAN can't wait to meet you. @naomiosaka," underscoring that the cross-sport tribute had been acknowledged by its inspiration.

Tournament routine off the court

Outside the practice and match schedule, Osaka has woven a skin-care ritual into her U.S. Open preparation, describing it as a "mental reset" during a tournament buildup. Ahead of the U.S. Open she walked through her routine, sharing the products and steps she uses to keep her skin in shape, an approach she frames as a way to decompress between training sessions and matches.

What's next for Osaka

Osaka is scheduled to face Katerina Siniakova in her second-round match on Wednesday, with the U.S. Open running through Sept. 13.

Other developments

Separately at the 2026 U.S. Open, Carlos Alcaraz wore the Travis Scott x Cactus Jack x Nike Zoom Vapor 12 HC during his first-round match against Roman Safiullin and advanced to the second round. The on-court appearance followed a New York drop of the Travis Scott "Cactus Court" collection on Monday, with a wider release scheduled for Sept. 4.