Naomi Osaka Debuted a Second Custom Designer Look at the US Open

Naomi Osaka has turned this year’s US Open into as much a fashion moment as a tennis tournament. On September 3, ahead of her second-round match, the four-time Grand Slam champion stepped onto the court in a custom Thom Browne look, layered directly over her Nike tennis kit. It marked her second entirely distinct designer walk-on outfit of the tournament, following an equally striking debut just days earlier.

Tiny Embroidered Tennis Racquets Hid in Plain Sight on Her Coat

The Thom Browne outfit leaned into classic tennis whites while giving the look a distinctly New York edge. Osaka wore a textured trench coat with ruffle detailing, finished with a train that brushed the ground and was lined with athlete-friendly netting. Small embroidered tennis racquets appeared scattered across the torso, a subtle detail easy to miss unless you were looking closely.

The Look Had a Direct Callback to Zendaya’s “Challengers” Press Tour

That embroidered detail was not random, it traced back to Osaka’s stylist and his best-known previous work. Law Roach, the stylist behind the look, is widely known for his “method dressing” approach with actress Zendaya, including her press tour for the tennis film “Challengers.” The Thom Browne outfit drew direct visual comparisons to that same aesthetic, right down to the sport-specific embellishments.

A Basketball-Inspired Nike Kit Was Hiding Underneath the Coat

Beneath the trench coat sat a separate, equally considered Nike tennis kit built around the same basketball-inspired theme running through the tournament. Osaka ditched black colorways this time in favor of gray, white, and metallic silver, pairing a netted tennis skirt with a tank top styled to resemble a basketball jersey. A visor completed the look once the coat came off for play.

Her First-Round Look Was Printed With Her Own Career Highlights

Days earlier, Osaka’s first-round entrance carried an entirely different reference point altogether. She walked onto Arthur Ashe Stadium in a custom Who Decides War gown, all in white, printed with news clippings highlighting moments from her own career. She posted the look on Instagram beforehand with a simple caption: “The Answer,” setting up the tribute before anyone saw her walk out.

“The Answer” Was a Direct Tribute to Allen Iverson

That caption referenced NBA legend Allen Iverson, whose nickname throughout his career was “The Answer.” Osaka explained the connection directly when asked about the outfit’s inspiration behind the look. “I guess, my tribute to Iverson,” she said. “I really like him a lot. Nike said basketball so I said, ‘Okay, you want basketball? I’ll give you basketball.'”

Her Cornrows and Sweatband Copied Iverson’s Signature Look Exactly

Designers Téla D’Amore and Ev Bravado, the team behind Who Decides War, confirmed to Vogue that Iverson’s signature style directly shaped the first-round look. Osaka wore a headband over cornrows, along with a sweatband on one arm and a sleeve on the other, closely mirroring Iverson’s trademark on-court appearance throughout his 14-year NBA career playing shooting guard and point guard.

Even the Colors Were Chosen to Match Iverson’s 76ers Era

Even the color choices carried intentional meaning tied back to Iverson’s basketball legacy specifically. The black and red tones running through Osaka’s first-round outfit matched the colors Iverson wore during his years with the Philadelphia 76ers, right down to his signature headbands. After the walk-on moment, Osaka switched into a black sleeveless top and skirt to actually play the match.

The Fashion Wasn’t a Distraction, She Won Both Matches Too

Both fashion statements came alongside genuine on-court success, not just style points earning headlines. Osaka defeated Anastasia Zakharova of Russia in her first-round match, then followed that win by beating Czech player Kateřina Siniaková in the second round. At 29 years old, she remains a serious competitive threat at this year’s tournament well beyond the outfits drawing headlines.

A New Look Before Every Match Has Become Her Signature Move

Osaka’s approach this tournament reflects a broader pattern rather than a one-off styling choice. Working with Law Roach, she has debuted a distinct custom look before each match so far, each one tied to a specific cultural reference and paired with performance-ready Nike gear underneath. With more rounds still ahead, fans are already anticipating what she chooses to wear next.