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Naomi Osaka channels NBA 'trailblazer' Allen Iverson with US Open walk-on outfit as she wows again with Grand Slam fashion React to this story Naomi Osaka paid homage to an NBA ”trailblazer” as she wowed again with a striking walk-on outfit before her US Open first-round win over Anastasia Zakharova. Former world No. 1 Osaka has made fashion statements at all four Grand Slams this season. At the Australian Open she wore a jellyfish-inspired outfit, at the French Open a glittering gold-sequined dress - which drew criticism from her opponent Laura Siegemund - and at Wimbledon a Kill Bill-inspired white kimono. At the US Open, Osaka entered Arthur Ashe Stadium wearing a grey hoodie with a gown that featured sewn-in newspaper clippings of her career highlights. She also had a headband and her hair in cornrows, as well as wearing elbow sleeves, all paying tribute to the look of former NBA great Allen Iverson. For the match she wore a black sleeveless top and skirt. Osaka had said before the tournament that 2001 NBA MVP Iverson was a ”trailblazer” and someone she ”looked up to a lot”. ”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," said Osaka in her pre-tournament press conference, wearing a shirt with an Iverson Slam Magazine cover on it. "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 said she had not spoken to Iverson, but that ”hopefully he'll see this”. Iverson responded on social media by saying: "Wow, what a honour!! BIG FAN can't wait to meet you." Nike’s player kits at the US Open have been inspired by basketball, with Carlos Alcaraz wearing a purple-and-orange tank top, and Aryna Sabalenka sporting an orange mesh outfit. "It's my tribute to Iverson. I really like him a lot," Osaka said after her first-round win. "I mean, Nike said basketball, so I said, 'OK, you want basketball, I'll give you basketball.' "Obviously I had a lot of fun with that design process and just coming up with the creative for it. So overall it was cool." "I think it fit New York really well, and I'm just excited to continue. Osaka added about Iverson in an interview with Vogue: ”He was an elite player on the court but also found a way to authentically merge culture, sports, and fashion. ”The US Open has always felt like a homecoming of sorts, so I wanted to harness the energy and vibe of the city into my look. I also try to consider my kit as well, so something in the streetwear world made the most sense to me.” Osaka was made to work hard in her opening win as she won 7-6(6) 7-6(3) against Zakharova. ”I would say that took everything,” said the two-time US Open winner. - 'Pain-free' Alcaraz wins on return to court - What does future hold for Djokovic after 'very sad' US Open exit? ”I’m just really grateful to be able to play on this court again. I just told myself to not have any regrets. I just really wanted to come out here and compete. ”I haven’t played since Toronto so I was a little rusty, and also I just get really nervous during the first round of this tournament, because I want to do well and I want to show you guys some more outfits.” Osaka plays Katerina Siniakova in the second round. - - - Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this Watch and stream top tennis action, including the Australian Open and French Open, live with TNT Sports on HBO Max