Naomi Osaka made a fashion statement inspired by NBA legend Allen Iverson before progressing at the US Open on Monday night.
The two-time champion beat Anastasia Zakharova 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3) in the first round at Arthur Ashe Stadium. She entered wearing a long, white skirt and a gray, hooded robe featuring newspaper clippings about her. Underneath, she wore cornrows and a headband, echoing Iverson's look from his MVP days with the Philadelphia 76ers.
“It’s my, I guess, my tribute to Iverson. I really like him a lot,” Osaka said after the match. “I mean, Nike said basketball, so I said, ‘OK, you want basketball, I’ll give you basketball.’”
The outfit fits her apparel company's basketball theme for the tournament, following the New York Knicks' NBA championship win in June. Osaka had previously called Iverson a trailblazer and said she looked up to him for shifting how NBA players dress.
Iverson responded on Instagram on Monday, writing: “Wow, what a honor!! BIG FAN can’t wait to meet you.”