Naomi Osaka began her U.S. Open campaign with a victory over Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova, winning 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3) at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Osaka wore a custom Who Decides War tulle gown featuring a hooded top and sewn-in newspaper clippings of her career highlights. In her post-match interview, Osaka expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play, stating, "I have no idea what time it is, so thanks for staying. I’m sure it’s really late. I’m just really grateful to play on this court again."
Styled by Law Roach, Osaka's outfit was inspired by former NBA player Allen Iverson. She wore her hair in cornrows pulled back into a bun and donned a black Nike kit that resembled a vintage NBA jersey, complemented by a metallic skirt. The match was competitive, with Zakharova taking Osaka to tiebreakers in both sets. Osaka secured her victory after converting on her third set point in the first set and delivering a 121 mph ace during the second set tiebreaker.
Osaka stated, "It’s my tribute to Iverson. I really like him a lot. Nike said ‘basketball.’ So I said, ‘OK, you want basketball, I’ll give you basketball.’ I love expressing myself through clothes." She expressed hope to showcase more outfits throughout the tournament, emphasizing Iverson's influence on fashion in sports. Iverson responded positively to Osaka's tribute on Instagram, stating, "Wow, what an honor!! BIG FAN can’t wait to meet you."