Japan’s Naomi Osaka was glad to get through her first-round match at the U.S. Open in New York late Monday night for both sporting and business reasons.
The tennis star/fashion designer will now get to unveil another look in the second round.
Osaka, the tournament’s 13th seed, outlasted Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3) in a contest that ended after midnight local time.
At the start of the match, Osaka entered Arthur Ashe Stadium wearing an Allen Iverson-inspired hoodie and a cornrows hairstyle.
“It’s my, I guess, my tribute to Iverson. I really like him a lot,” Osaka said, referring to former NBA star Allen Iverson.
Referencing a request from her apparel partner, Osaka added, “Nike said basketball, so I said, ‘OK, you want basketball, I’ll give you basketball.'”
As for the tight result against Zakharova, Osaka said in her post-match interview on court, “I just get really nervous during this first round of this tournament, because I want to do well, and I want to show you (fans) some more outfits.”
Iverson later responded on Instagram, writing, “Wow, what a honor!! BIG FAN can’t wait to meet you. @naomiosaka”
Osaka, a four-time major champion, was broken while serving for both sets, but she recovered to take both tiebreakers. She served 10 of her 11 aces in the second set.
“I mean, I would say it took everything, you know?” Osaka said following the match on court. “Thank you (fans) for staying and watching. … I mean, I have no idea what time it is, so thanks for staying. I’m sure it’s really late, and I’m just really grateful to be able to play on this court again.”
Osaka, 28, hasn’t won a WTA-level tournament since returning from maternity leave in 2024. Her second-round opponent will be the Czech Republic’s Katerina Siniakova, who defeated Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-3, 6-2 on Monday.
–Field Level Media
