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Naomi Osaka Pays Tribute to Allen Iverson with US Open Outfit and Straight-Sets Win

Naomi Osaka debuted an Allen Iverson-inspired outfit at the US Open, complete with sewn-in press clippings and cornrows, before defeating Anastasia Zakharova in straight sets. The two-time champion called the look a tribute to the NBA legend and advanced to the second round.

By Tertius News AI Desk 6 distinct · 6 mastheads · 6 articles Version 2 Coverage Sep 1, 2026 Published 24m ago

A Fashionable Tribute on the Court

Naomi Osaka made her entrance at the US Open on Monday in a custom outfit paying tribute to NBA legend Allen Iverson, before battling to a 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-3) victory over unseeded Russian Anastasia Zakharova to reach the second round.

Osaka emerged from the tunnel at Arthur Ashe Stadium wearing a long, white skirt and a hooded robe featuring newspaper clippings about her career. When she removed the outer layer, she revealed a black outfit and her hair styled in cornrows, a look reminiscent of Iverson during his MVP days with the Philadelphia 76ers. According to Times Now, the custom gown was made from distressed, light-grey French terry sweatshirt material with layers of tulle, and the sewn-in clippings turned the piece into a "wearable scrapbook." The styling, credited to Law Roach, included braids with a red headband, red and black forearm bands, and red athletic tape around her index finger.

"It's my tribute to Iverson," Osaka said, as reported by ABC Australia and The Japan Times. "I really like him a lot. Nike said basketball, so I said, 'OK, you want basketball, I'll give you basketball.'" She had earlier worn a shirt with Iverson's picture during media availability and called him a "trailblazer," according to Sky Sports. Iverson responded on Instagram, writing: "Wow, what a honor!! BIG FAN can't wait to meet you."

A Hard-Fought Victory

Osaka, the 13th seed and a two-time champion at Flushing Meadows (2018 and 2020), looked set for a straightforward win after racing to a 4-1 lead in the first set. But Zakharova, ranked 101st, forced a tiebreak, which Osaka won 8-6. The second set also went to a tiebreak, with Osaka holding her nerve to close out the match 7-3. The match, spanning two tiebreaks, took just over two hours according to ABC Australia. Osaka reflected on her performance and the late hour.

"I would say it took everything to win," Osaka said, as the clock approached 12:30 m. local time. "I have no idea what time it is. Thanks for staying. 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."

A Season of Statement Looks

Osaka's US Open outfit is part of a broader fashion narrative she has built across the Grand Slam season. At the Australian Open, she worked with designer Robert Wun on a custom entrance look inspired by a jellyfish, featuring a dramatic hat, sheer veil, and flowing pleated layers, with her daughter Shai influencing the concept. At Wimbledon, Tokyo-based designer Yagi spoke about creating a custom white look drawing from Japanese kimono and bridal traditions, which Osaka paired with Mikimoto jewellery and a traditional kanzashi hair ornament. At Roland Garros, she arrived in a black Kevin Germanier skirt and competed in a layered yellow, brown and gold outfit inspired by the Eiffel Tower's nighttime sparkle.

Osaka will face Czech Katerina Siniakova in the second round. In other matches, as reported by Sky Sports, former champion Iga Swiatek advanced alongside Ben Shelton, while Stan Wawrinka lost his final Grand Slam appearance before retirement.

How each outlet told it

A framing line is our reading of that outlet's own text — an interpretation, not a quotation and not a fact we assert. Check it against what the outlet published.

ABC Australia

Framing: Osaka pays tribute to NBA great Allen Iverson, bringing style and steel to the US Open. — Admiring and descriptive, highlighting Osaka's fashion tributes and competitive performance.

as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:30 AM UTC

Facts Included:

Naomi Osaka paid tribute to NBA great Allen Iverson at the US Open.
Osaka completed a straight-sets victory over unseeded Russian Anastasia.
Osaka entered Arthur Ashe Stadium in a hooded outfit with patchwork-style panels adorned with press clippings and white tulle.
At Wimbledon, Osaka paid tribute to her Japanese heritage with a kimono-inspired ensemble featuring a kanzashi hair ornament.
At Roland Garros, Osaka 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 lights.
Osaka's look at the Australian Open took its cues from a unspecified source.
Osaka raced into a 4-1 lead in the match.
World number 101 Zakharova forced a tie-break.
Osaka said it was her tribute to Iverson, the NBA Hall of Famer.
Osaka said Nike suggested basketball as the theme.
Osaka said she likes expressing herself through clothes.
Osaka said she was paying tribute to Allen Iverson on court.
Osaka held her nerve to win the second set tie-break, closing out 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/3).
Osaka said it took everything to win.
Osaka said she was grateful to be able to play on this court.
Osaka is the 13th seed and champion at Flushing Meadows in 2018 and 2020.
Osaka takes on Czech Katerina Siniakova in the second round.

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The Independent

Framing: Headline emphasizes Osaka's bold fashion choice and its connection to Allen Iverson, alongside her progress at the US Open. — Celebratory and upbeat, with a focus on fashion and celebrity interaction.

as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:45 AM UTC

Facts Included:

Naomi Osaka channeled Allen Iverson as part of her US Open first-round success, and the former NBA superstar liked the look.
Osaka made her usual fashionable entrance for her match against Anastasia Zakharova on Monday night.
The two-time US Open champion emerged from the tunnel onto the court in Arthur Ashe Stadium wearing a long, white skirt and a gray, hooded robe featuring newspaper clippings about her.
When she removed that to reveal her black outfit, Osaka had her hair done in cornrows under a headband, just as Iverson did when was the NBA MVP while playing for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Aryna Sabalenka is wearing an orange dress, one of the Knicks' colors.
Osaka said following her 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3) victory: "It’s my, I guess, my tribute to Iverson. I really like him a lot."
Osaka wore a shirt with Iverson's picture when she met with the media on the eve of the tournament and called him a trailblazer.
Osaka said Saturday: "I think he’s also someone that I look up to a lot, because he’s kind done a lot in fashion, whether it’s on purpose or not, but he’s shifted the way that NBA players dress."
Iverson posted a message to Osaka on his Instagram page Monday, writing: "Wow, what a honor!! BIG FAN can’t wait to meet you."

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The Japan Times

Framing: Highlights Osaka's fashion statement ('style') and her competitive toughness ('steel') in her U.S. Open winning start. — celebratory and admiring

as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:45 AM UTC

Facts Included:

Naomi Osaka defeated Anastasia Zakharova 7-6 (7-6), 7-6 (7-3) in the first round of the U.S. Open.
Osaka is a two-time champion at the U.S. Open (2018 and 2020).
Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam champion.
Zakharova is ranked No. 101 in the world.
Osaka wore a hooded tunic with patchwork-style panels and a tulle train at the U.S. Open.
Osaka's outfit was inspired by Allen Iverson, an NBA Hall of Famer.
Osaka said: "It's my tribute to Iverson."
Osaka said: "I would say it took everything (to win)."
Osaka said she hadn't played since Toronto and was 'a little rusty.'
Osaka next plays Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic.
The match concluded near 12:30 am Tuesday.

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Malay Mail

Framing: Highlights Osaka's fashion tribute to Allen Iverson as the key angle for her US Open victory

as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:46 AM UTC

Facts Included:

Naomi Osaka defeated Anastasia Zakharova 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/3)
Match lasted just over two hours on Arthur Ashe Stadium
Osaka is a 13th seed and two-time US Open champion (2018, 2020)
Osaka wore a custom-made gown with news clippings about her career
Osaka braided her hair in the style of Allen Iverson, former Philadelphia 76ers star
Osaka had paid tribute to Iverson in a pre-tournament press conference last week, wearing a t-shirt depicting him
Direct quote from Osaka: 'For me he’s a trailblazer. He’s kind of like done a lot in fashion, whether it’s on purpose or not, but he’s shifted the way that NBA players dress.'
Direct quote from Osaka: 'I also think the whole conversation around clothes in sports and also just expressing yourself through style, I feel like he’s someone that I look up to in that regard.'
Osaka went 5-2 up in the opening set before Zakharova forced a tiebreak
Zakharova recovered from 5-3 down in the second set to lead 6-5, but Osaka won the tiebreak
Osaka's powerful serve proved decisive in the second set tiebreak

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The News International

Framing: The headline emphasizes Osaka's fashion-inspired look as the key to her US Open win.

as of Sep 1, 2026, 7:17 AM UTC

Facts Included:

Naomi Osaka defeated Russia's Anastasia Zakharova 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/3) in just over two hours on the Arthur Ashe Stadium show court to advance to the second round of the US Open.
Osaka wore a custom-made billowy gown featuring sewn-in news clippings of her career and styled her hair in braids inspired by Iverson.
Osaka wore a t-shirt showing NBA star Iverson in her pre-tournament press conference last week.
Osaka said, 'For me he's a trailblazer.'
Osaka said, 'He's kind of like done a lot in fashion, whether it's on purpose or not, but he's shifted the way that NBA players dress.'
Osaka said, 'I also think the whole conversation around clothes in sports and also just expressing yourself through style, I feel like he's someone that I look up to in that regard.'
The match marked her return to competition following a month-long break since reaching the quarter-finals at the Canadian Open.
She plays 42nd-ranked Katerina Siniakova of Czechia in the next round.

Read the source article →

Times Now

Framing: Highlights Naomi Osaka's US Open tennis outfit as a tribute to Allen Iverson

as of Sep 1, 2026, 5:19 AM UTC

Facts Included:

Naomi Osaka arrived for her US Open match against Anastasia Zakharova in a custom Who Decides War look inspired by Allen Iverson, with Law Roach behind the styling.
The outfit was built around Allen Iverson, the NBA legend whose approach to sportswear helped shape the visual language of basketball in the early 2000s.
Osaka's look nodded to Iverson's Philadelphia 76ers era, particularly his love of oversized grey hoodies and his counter-culture attitude.
The custom gown was made from distressed, light-grey French terry sweatshirt material, with layers of tulle adding volume.
Sewn into the garment were newspaper clippings documenting moments from Osaka's own career.
Osaka wore her hair in braids with a red headband, along with red and black forearm bands and red athletic tape around her index finger.
She walked out in the sweeping cape gown before taking to the court in her black tennis kit.
At the Australian Open, she worked with Robert Wun on a custom entrance look inspired by jellyfish, featuring a dramatic hat, sheer veil, flowing pleated layers and delicate white butterflies, with a matching umbrella.
Osaka has spoken about the influence of her daughter Shai on the concept.
At Wimbledon, Tokyo-based designer Hana Yagi created a custom white look drawing from Japanese kimono and bridal dress traditions, with a sweeping train, a wide obi-style belt, ruffled tulle and an oversized bow.
Osaka paired the Wimbledon look with Mikimoto jewellery and a traditional kanzashi hair ornament before revealing the Nike tennis kit beneath.
Robert Wun dressed Osaka for the 2026 Met Gala in a couture look.

Read the source article →

What was claimed, and who backed it

AI-extracted; can misattribute a claim — see Methodology.

Each row is one claim, attributed to the outlet whose wording states it most clearly. Confidence rates how directly the source text states the claim — explicit and unhedged rates high; hedged, pieced-together, or internally inconsistent statements rate lower. It does not measure whether the claim is true. Status is Contested when two claims on this page negate each other; otherwise it counts the distinct outlets we found asserting that specific claim — so a single-source claim can still show high confidence, and a multi-source claim can show medium. Every one of those outlets is named beside the status, so you can check the count against the list. For claims extracted before we began storing that list, the row says so: it names the outlet the claim is quoted from and states that we have not recorded which outlets backed it. Outlets wrote at different times, so a figure that evolves — a casualty count, for example — can legitimately differ between rows; check the "as of" time next to each claim's source.

Claim	Confidence	Status
Claim	ConfidenceHigh	StatusMulti-source (2 outlets · 2 distinct) via Malay Mail as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:46 AM UTC, The Independent as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:45 AM UTC
ClaimOsaka entered the court wearing a custom outfit with sewn-in newspaper clippings, paying tribute to Allen Iverson.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusMulti-source (2 outlets · 2 distinct) via Malay Mail as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:46 AM UTC, The Independent as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:45 AM UTC
ClaimOsaka is the 13th seed and a two-time US Open champion (2018 and 2020).	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Malay Mail as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:46 AM UTC
ClaimOsaka won in just over two hours.	ConfidenceMedium	StatusSingle-source via Malay Mail as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:46 AM UTC
ClaimOsaka said 'It's my tribute to Iverson' regarding her outfit.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via The Independent as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:45 AM UTC
ClaimThe custom outfit included newspaper clippings about Osaka's career sewn in.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Malay Mail as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:46 AM UTC
ClaimOsaka wore her hair in cornrows with a headband, like Iverson did when he was NBA MVP.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusMulti-source (2 outlets · 2 distinct) via The Independent as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:45 AM UTC, Malay Mail as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:46 AM UTC
ClaimAt Wimbledon, Osaka wore a kimono-inspired custom look by Hana Yagi with Mikimoto jewellery.	ConfidenceMedium	StatusSingle-source via ABC Australia as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:30 AM UTC
ClaimFor the 2026 Met Gala, Osaka wore a couture look by Robert Wun.	ConfidenceMedium	StatusSingle-source via ABC Australia as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:30 AM UTC
ClaimOsaka defeated Zakharova in straight sets (7-6, 7-6).	ConfidenceHigh	StatusMulti-source (2 outlets · 2 distinct) via Malay Mail as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:46 AM UTC, The Independent as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:45 AM UTC
ClaimOsaka's US Open outfit was designed by Law Roach.	ConfidenceMedium	StatusSingle-source via ABC Australia as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:30 AM UTC
ClaimOsaka's Australian Open entrance look was inspired by a jellyfish.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via ABC Australia as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:30 AM UTC
ClaimAt Wimbledon, Osaka's custom white look was created by Tokyo-based designer Hana Yagi and was inspired by kimono and bridal dress traditions.	ConfidenceMedium	StatusSingle-source via ABC Australia as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:30 AM UTC
ClaimFor the 2026 Met Gala, Law Roach styled Osaka in a couture look.	ConfidenceMedium	StatusSingle-source via ABC Australia as of Sep 1, 2026, 6:30 AM UTC

Transparency & Audit Trail

6 distinct · 6 mastheads · 6 articles consulted: ABC Australia, The Independent, The Japan Times, Malay Mail, The News International, Times Now 14 claims extracted 1 editorial revision Version 2 Written 2026-09-01