Naomi Osaka has once again shown that her impact on tennis extends beyond what she does with a racket in her hand.
The four-time Grand Slam champion has attracted plenty of attention at the 2026 US Open, not only because of her performances on the court but also because of the daring outfits she has worn before her matches.
For Osaka, however, the fashion is not simply about attracting attention. She sees it as another way of expressing herself, having developed a reputation for turning her Grand Slam appearances into a mixture of sport, culture and fashion.
Speaking about her increasingly bold choices, Osaka explained that she does not necessarily set out to make a statement with what she wears.
“Nothing I do I do to make a statement. I think it just ends up being that way,” she said ahead of the US Open.
The Japanese star added that she simply chooses things she loves and is happy that people can connect with her creativity.
That attitude has been evident throughout this year’s tournament.
Osaka opened her US Open campaign with one of her most talked-about looks yet. Before facing Anastasia Zakharova, she walked onto Arthur Ashe Stadium wearing a dramatic white tulle skirt and a hooded robe covered with newspaper clippings highlighting moments from her career.
The outfit was inspired by former NBA superstar Allen Iverson, one of Osaka’s sporting and fashion influences. She completed the look with cornrows and a headband that recalled Iverson’s famous style during his playing days with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Osaka has described Iverson as a trailblazer, particularly because of the way he helped change the relationship between sport and fashion.
For the tennis star, Iverson’s influence goes beyond basketball.
She admires how the NBA legend used his personal style to express himself and believes athletes should have the freedom to do the same.
That philosophy has become a major part of Osaka’s own identity.
Her fashion choices have increasingly become part of the spectacle surrounding her Grand Slam appearances. Rather than simply arriving in traditional tennis clothing, she often uses her outfits to tell stories or highlight people, places and cultures that have influenced her.
At this year’s US Open, basketball has been a recurring theme, partly because Nike’s tournament collection draws inspiration from the sport and the New York Knicks’ championship success.
Osaka’s second-round outfit continued the theme but offered a slightly different interpretation. She wore a white outer layer decorated with beaded tennis rackets and a flowing mesh train, while her playing outfit featured a basketball-net-inspired design.
Her creativity has not gone unnoticed.
Fashion publications and tennis observers have increasingly described Osaka as one of the most influential style figures in the sport. Her collaborations with designers and stylist Law Roach have helped turn her match entrances into highly anticipated moments.
The fashion process is also far from spontaneous.
Osaka has previously explained that her outfits can take months to develop, with designers working closely with her to turn ideas and sketches into finished pieces. Her looks often combine her sporting career with elements of her personality and cultural influences.
That makes the outfits more than simple tournament accessories.
They have become part of the Naomi Osaka experience.
Even when the attention surrounding her clothing becomes louder than she expected, Osaka appears comfortable with the reaction.
Her approach is simple: she wears what she likes.
“I literally do the things that I love to do,” Osaka said, adding that she is grateful that people can see themselves in her.
That message may explain why her fashion has connected with so many fans.
Osaka does not appear interested in following a traditional idea of what a tennis player should look like. Instead, she has embraced individuality and used one of the world’s biggest sporting stages as a platform for creativity.
Her 2026 US Open campaign ultimately ended in the fourth round with a defeat against Elena Rybakina, but even in defeat, Osaka continued to command attention with another striking ensemble a colourful, fur-trimmed cloak designed by Brooklyn-based label KidSuper.
The result was another memorable fashion moment from a player who has gradually made style an important part of her public identity.
For Osaka, the message appears clear: tennis may be her profession, but fashion gives her another way to be herself.
And judging by the reaction to her US Open outfits, fans are more than willing to watch that story unfold.
