Naomi Osaka turns heads with her US Open looks

September is the most important month on the fashion calendar. As the fashion world’s attention slowly shifts towards the runways of New York, London, Milan and Paris, the beginning of the month has long been reserved for another event that, despite not being part of the official fashion calendar, consistently draws attention: the US Open. New York’s tennis courts have long served as a runway of sorts, with the tournament delivering fresh fashion surprises year after year. I have to admit that the qualifying period, which began on August 23, was somewhat more monotonous than usual. Kaia Gerber drew the most attention in the stands, dressed in a black gown that was a clear reference to the timeless style of her mother, Cindy Crawford.

Related: The pieces you need to recreate Kaia Gerber’s US Open look

Still, both on and off the court, the greatest style inspiration was, quite predictably, tennis player Naomi Osaka. Ever since she wore a neon green ensemble with striking bows at the 2024 US Open, it has been clear that Osaka is one of the tournament’s biggest fashion stars. From a custom-made creation by Robert Wun at the Australian Open to a white dress inspired by Japanese culture at Wimbledon, Osaka puts a great deal of thought into her looks. And all I have to say to that is: she’s making history. This time, the tennis player delighted us with a host of outfits, but the ones she chose for practice attracted particular attention.

Practice #1

Zendaya and Law Roach have become synonymous with one of today’s most exciting fashion collaborations, but it seems the stylist now has another muse who could define his new era: Naomi Osaka. For her first practice session, Osaka departed from the expected tennis uniform and appeared in a flowing orange set that evoked a carefree summer vibe. She paired it with a striking white bag and brown Bottega Veneta heels, giving the entire look a touch of beachy glamour.

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Practice #2

The look from her second practice session, which took over the internet almost instantly, transported me back to Beyoncé’s Lemonade era at first glance. For the occasion, Osaka chose a flowing beige dress and striking gold earrings, completing the look with lace-up sandals adorned with butterfly motifs. Naturally, she also had her lucky racket, an essential part of every one of her outfits.

Practice #3

For her third practice session, Osaka opted for a relaxed blue dress by De La Vali, styling it with Bottega Veneta heels in the same shade and a burgundy bag. In the practice photos, the tennis player also posed with a vintage flip phone, underscoring the Y2K theme of the entire look.

Fashion (and tennis) victory

Once the practice sessions were over, it was time for a true fashion victory, which this time also became a victory on the court. Osaka found inspiration for her look in legendary NBA player Allen Iverson, paying him a fashion tribute of sorts at the US Open. She walked onto the court in a long white skirt and a gray hooded cape decorated with newspaper clippings about her, designed by Who Decides War. “It’s my tribute to Iverson. I really love him,” Osaka said after her victory, highlighting his immense influence on fashion and the way he changed perceptions of how NBA players dress. Iverson responded via Instagram that same day, saying that he was a huge fan of hers and could not wait to meet her.

With her fashion choices, Osaka once again proved that she is the queen of style on the tennis court, and we are already eagerly awaiting her next appearances. Law, do your magic!

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