Naomi Osaka’s 2026 US Open ended in the fourth round on 7 September, with a heavy defeat to Elena Rybakina while she played through a leg injury. But for many fans, the two-time US Open champion’s tennis wasn’t the main story. Her outfits were.
The Naomi Osaka US Open outfits followed one idea from start to finish: basketball. Nike built the theme around the New York Knicks’ championship, and celebrity stylist Law Roach, best known for his work with Zendaya, brought it to life.
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Every look, round by round
- First round, Who Decides War: a white tulle skirt and grey hooded robe inspired by NBA legend Allen Iverson, finished with cornrows and a headband.
- Second round, Thom Browne: a flowing white jacket embroidered with crossed tennis rackets, over a mesh skirt designed to look like a basketball net.
- Third round, Monse x Nike: an oversized grey suit jacket combined with a hoodie, over flowing fleece joggers, with a custom embroidered Swoosh on the back.
- Fourth round, KidSuper: a fur-trimmed, multicoloured coat by Brooklyn designer Colm Dillane, with a custom headband showing a tennis player instead of the NBA logo.
“I felt really swaggy”
The KidSuper coat was her favourite. “I felt really swaggy when I put it on,” she said. “I feel like it embodied New York a lot.”
Asked if she was sad that some planned outfits would never be seen because of her early exit, she laughed it off: “I think there’s always something, you know? I feel like that’s a way that I can have fun.”
Answering the critics
Not everyone loved the looks. Some fans online criticised the outfits as too much for a tennis court. Osaka didn’t back down. “I don’t mind being the first to do something and getting trashed for it,” she wrote, adding that her Haitian heritage pushes her to take fashion risks.
Why the fashion angle matters
Osaka has long been one of tennis’s boldest dressers, but this year was different. Instead of one-off outfits, she and Law Roach told a story across four rounds, treating each walk-on more like a runway show.
It says a lot about athletes today. A four-time Grand Slam champion can lose in the fourth round and still leave the tournament as one of its most talked-about players.
FAQ
How far did Naomi Osaka go at the 2026 US Open?
The fourth round. She lost to Elena Rybakina on 7 September while carrying a leg injury.
Who styled Naomi Osaka at the 2026 US Open?
Law Roach, the celebrity stylist known for his work with Zendaya.
What was the theme of Osaka’s outfits?
Basketball. Nike built the theme around the New York Knicks’ championship.
Who designed Osaka’s final outfit?
KidSuper, the Brooklyn label founded by Colm Dillane.
Sources: AP via NY1; Sky Sports; Sports Illustrated; Marie Claire; WWD.
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