Naomi Osaka, known for her avant-garde on-court fashion, presented another striking ensemble at the US Open on Thursday afternoon, featuring an all-white outfit with embroidered tennis rackets. However, her mother, Tamaki Osaka, captured considerable attention for her own sartorial choice: a smart suit worn while watching her daughter compete against Katerina Siniakova at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The flowing tail of Osaka's Nike outfit, intended as a tribute to NBA legend Allen Iverson, caused a brief moment of difficulty as she tripped on the fabric while walking to the net for the coin toss. This contrasted with her opening-round victory outfit, an all-black skirt and tank top worn during a night session.
Osaka explained her on-court attire was inspired by Iverson, whom she admires for his influence on fashion and self-expression in sports. "I think he's also someone that I look up to a lot, because he's done a lot in fashion. Whether it's on purpose or not, he's shifted the way that NBA players dress," Osaka said after her win against Anastasia Zakharova. Iverson has since expressed interest in meeting the tennis star, responding to her tribute on Instagram.
Osaka's US Open appearance follows a history of bold fashion choices at Grand Slam tournaments that have sparked discussion. Earlier this year, her dramatic outfits at the Australian Open drew comparisons to a jellyfish. At the French Open, her attire led to comments from fellow players. Laura Siegemund remarked, "I came here to play tennis, not to put on a fashion show," while Donna Vekic defended Osaka's right to self-expression, stating, "Relax, it's just an outfit."
Despite past debates, Osaka continues to utilize the platform provided by major tournaments to showcase her distinctive style.
Osaka's outfit featured an all-white long overshirt with tennis racket details.
