Naomi Osaka opened her 2026 US Open campaign with a hard-fought win and a direct nod to NBA culture: she took the court in a look inspired by Allen Iverson, the Philadelphia 76ers icon whose style shaped a generation on and off the floor.
Two tie-break sets to advance
The two-time US Open champion defeated Anastasia Zakharova 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3) in a late first-round match at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Both sets went to a tie-break, forcing Osaka to stay locked in until the final point.
After the match, the former world No. 1 acknowledged how demanding the contest had been and how much focus it took to close it out in straight sets.
A visible tribute to Iverson
The detail that drew the most attention went beyond the scoreline. Osaka competed with cornrows, a headband, an elbow sleeve and an arm sleeve — a combination that echoes Iverson's signature look with the Sixers.
The choice was deliberate: the tennis star wanted to honor one of basketball's most recognizable figures, a player who redefined the shooting guard image in the league and whose influence still reaches beyond the NBA.
The Answer's legacy endures
For basketball audiences, the gesture bridges two different sports through a shared visual language. Iverson was not only an MVP and scoring champion; his aesthetic — attitude, gear, movement — became part of the league's cultural DNA.
That a tennis star picks that reference at one of the biggest events on her calendar shows how deeply Allen Iverson's legacy still resonates decades after his rise in Philadelphia.
The win over Zakharova and the visual tribute to Iverson were reported by TalkBasket and ClutchPoints.
