Naomi Osaka’s style and steel on show in winning start at US Open
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Naomi Osaka arrived at the US Open on Aug 31 in a hooded tunic featuring patchwork-style panels adorned with press clippings from past events.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Naomi Osaka won her first-round US Open match in two tight tiebreak sets against Anastasia Zakharova, showing strong fighting spirit despite some rustiness.
- She made a fashion statement with a bold, Allen Iverson-inspired outfit during play, after continuing her trend of unique Grand Slam walk-on styles.
- The two-time US Open champion expressed gratitude to fans and aims to compete strongly as she faces Katerina Siniakova in the second round.
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NEW YORK – Naomi Osaka unveiled another bold Grand Slam walk-on outfit at the US Open on Aug 31, before the two-time champion battled to a 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-3) victory over unseeded Russian Anastasia Zakharova to reach the second round.
The 28-year-old has been the fashion highlight of the 2026 Majors and entered Arthur Ashe Stadium in a hooded tunic featuring patchwork-style panels adorned with press clippings from past tournament appearances and a billowing white tulle train.
At Wimbledon, she paid tribute to her Japanese heritage with a kimono-inspired ensemble featuring a traditional kanzashi hair ornament before changing into a white Nike playing kit.
At Wimbledon, Naomi Osaka paid tribute to her Japanese heritage with a kimono-inspired ensemble featuring a traditional kanzashi hair ornament before changing into a white Nike playing kit.
PHOTO: REUTERS
At the French Open, she arrived in a black Kevin Germanier skirt and competed in a layered yellow, brown and gold outfit inspired by the Eiffel Tower’s night-time sparkle.
Her look at the Australian Open took its cues from a jellyfish.
Competing at Flushing Meadows in an Allen Iverson-inspired outfit, the four-time Grand Slam champion looked set for a straightforward victory after racing into a 4-1 lead, only for world No. 101 Zakharova to force a tiebreak. “It’s my tribute to Iverson,” Osaka said of the NBA Hall of Famer. “I really like him a lot.
Naomi Osaka playing in an outfit inspired by retired NBA star Allen Iverson.
PHOTO: AFP
“Nike said basketball, so I said ‘you want basketball, I’ll give you basketball’. I like expressing myself through clothes and I’m glad you guys appreciate it.”
Osaka showed her battling qualities to win the tiebreak before being taken to another in the second set, where she held her nerve to close out the victory. “I would say it took everything (to win),” she said as the clock approached 12.30am on Sept 1.
“I have no idea what time it is. Thanks for staying,” she told fans. “I’m grateful to be able to play on this court again.
“I just told myself to not have any regrets. I wanted to come out and compete. I haven’t played since Toronto, so I was a little rusty. I get nervous in the first rounds. I want to do well and show you guys new outfits.”
The 13th seed, champion at Flushing Meadows in 2018 and 2020, takes on the Czech Republic’s Katerina Siniakova in the second round. REUTERS
