Naomi Osaka’s Allen Iverson tribute connects two generations of Black sports style
TheGrio...
Naomi Osaka honors Allen Iverson’s unapologetic style with cornrows, armbands & a custom gown in her latest “court-ure” look at the US Open.
Recently, Naomi Osaka has been turning the tennis courts into her fashion playground. From ethereal jellyfish-inspired entrances to subtle details in her kits, Osaka has never been shy about pushing the boundaries of sports fashion, bringing her own style and flair into the tennis world. And this year, her debut at the 2026 US Open was no different.
Last night, the tennis star entered the tournament in a full Allen Iverson-inspired look. Osaka stunned fans as she entered the Arthur Ashe Stadium with cornrows inspired by Iverson’s signature braided hairstyles and a custom distressed Who Decides War tulle and French terry gown styled by Law Roach.
“For me, he’s a trailblazer,” Osaka shared, explaining the tribute. “He’s also someone that I look up to a lot because he’s kind of, like, done a lot in fashion, whether it’s on purpose or not. He’s shifted the way NBA players dress, and I also think, like, the whole conversation about clothes in sports, and also just expressing yourself through style.”
However, the beauty lies in the details and intention of her look. Osaka’s tribute to the NBA star also included accessories that referenced Iverson’s iconic style, including his armbands, headband, and single-finger sleeve, which he popularized in the early 2000s. In addition to her accessories, Osaka’s custom gown included sewn-in newspaper clippings highlighting key moments in her career.
“The look references Allen Iverson, more specifically, his gray sweats and the nonconformist cadence with which he moved through the world as an athlete,” Designers Téla D’Amore and Ev Bravado told Vogue.
While her look aligns with Nike’s latest basketball-inspired collection for this year’s US Open, Osaka’s Iverson tribute fits into her portfolio of looks that blend fashion and athleticism. Just as she credits the former NBA star for merging “culture, sports, and fashion,” Osaka has been doing the same through her “court-ure” looks, whether in her practice or walk-out looks.
“When I look back at the players who came before me, I think about how those moments—those looks—have become memories that live forever,” she said, reflecting on her 2026 Australian Open look. “So much of the time, other people get to write our stories for us. This felt like a moment where I could write a little bit of my own.”
And since then, her looks have only gotten more extravagant and unapologetically unique.
“I like to use fashion as a medium for storytelling,” she told British Vogue. “Every walk-out is an opportunity to bring people into my creative world.”
Keep scrolling to see all of Naomi Osaka’s “court-ure” looks.