Making an entrance inspired by former NBA superstar Allen Iverson, Naomi Osaka arrived dressed to impress, then backed it up with a killer performance on court, taking down Anastasia Zakharova 7-6(8-6), 7-6(7-3) in a thrilling straight-sets victory.
The 28-year-old is turning heads for more than just her tennis. Her bold weaves, hairstyles and fashion choices have become part of her game-day identity, and it seems to have brought a new light into her life.
Osaka looks more confident on court, playing with more freedom and enjoying her tennis again. But while her confidence is growing, one thing that is still missing is a WTA Tour title.
Her last WTA-level title came at the 2021 Australian Open, where she defeated Jennifer Brady 6-4, 6-3 in the final. She did win the WTA 125 Saint-Malo title in 2025, defeating Kaja Juvan 6-1, 7-5, but she is still waiting for another big WTA Tour title.
At the same time, her fashion has attracted plenty of criticism, with some people saying tennis is not a runway or a fashion show and that Osaka should focus more on her game.
But Osaka seems to be showing that she can do both that is play tennis, express herself and have fun with fashion.
Addressing the media and the tennis crowd, Osaka spoke about her outfit for the game that had Iverson’s picture on the back.
“It’s my, I guess, my tribute to Iverson. I really like him a lot.
“I mean, Nike said basketball, so I said, ‘OK, you want basketball, I’ll give you basketball.
“I think he’s also someone that I look up to a lot, because he’s kind of done a lot in fashion, whether it’s on purpose or not, but he’s shifted the way that NBA players dress.
“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’s next opponent is Katerina Siniakova, and the two players have faced each other twice, with Siniakova leading their head-to-head 2-0.
Their first meeting came at the 2019 French Open, where Siniakova stunned then-world No. 1 Osaka 6-4, 6-2 in the third round. They met again at Wimbledon in 2025, and Siniakova once again came out on top, winning 6-3, 6-2 in the first round.
