Osaka honors Iverson with US Open tribute outfit and first-round victory
Osaka wins first round while honoring Allen Iverson through her US Open outfit choice.
Event / Sports
US Open 2024 Tennis
Coverage of the 2024 US Open tennis tournament, featuring Novak Djokovic's first-round elimination and advances by other players including Daniil Medvedev and Jessica Pegula.
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2026-08-31 to 2026-11-07 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 31 Aug, 07:15 UTC
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What happened
Allen Iverson responds positively to Naomi Osaka's tribute
Allen Iverson posted a message on Instagram in response to Naomi Osaka's tribute to him at the 2026 U.S. Open. Iverson wrote: 'Wow, what an honor!! BIG FAN can't wait to meet you.' The response confirmed that Iverson had seen Osaka's public statements about him and her outfit inspired by his style.
Naomi Osaka defeats Anastasia Zakharova in U.S. Open first round
Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka won her first-round match against Anastasia Zakharova at the 2026 U.S. Open with a score of 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3). She produced 11 aces during the match on Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
Naomi Osaka advances to U.S. Open Round 2 against Katerina Siniakova
Following her first-round victory, Naomi Osaka was scheduled to compete against Katerina Siniakova in her Round 2 match at the 2026 U.S. Open on Wednesday.
Naomi Osaka credits Allen Iverson as fashion and style influence
Naomi Osaka stated that she considers NBA legend Allen Iverson a trailblazer who influenced how professional athletes express themselves through fashion. She credited Iverson with shifting how NBA players dress and expanding conversations around personal style and self-expression in sports. Osaka wore an Iverson-featuring shirt during pre-tournament media appearances and discussed her admiration for him in press conferences.
Naomi Osaka wears Allen Iverson-inspired outfit at U.S. Open
Naomi Osaka wore a custom outfit designed as a tribute to NBA legend Allen Iverson for her first-round match at the 2026 U.S. Open. The look featured a gray hooded robe with newspaper clippings from her career, a white floor-length tulle skirt, cornrows, a headband, and compression armbands—styling elements associated with Iverson's iconic appearance during his playing career.
Djokovic plays while suffering from illness and physical ailments
Djokovic competed in the first-round match despite visible physical distress, including vomiting at least once during the match and appearing to have cramping in his left foot. He made 70 unforced errors and required medical attention between the fourth and fifth sets, including back massage and medication from a doctor. Djokovic acknowledged before the tournament that he was concerned about his fitness following a first-round loss at Cincinnati earlier in the month and his semifinal loss to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon.
Novak Djokovic loses first-round match at U.S. Open to Mariano Navone
Novak Djokovic, the No. 4 seed and 24-time Grand Slam champion, lost his first-round match at the U.S. Open to 25-year-old Mariano Navone of Argentina with a score of 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. The match lasted 4 hours and 36 minutes, marking the longest opening-round match of Djokovic's Grand Slam career and his earliest exit from a Grand Slam in two decades, since the 2006 Australian Open. It was the first time Djokovic had lost in the first round at the U.S. Open.
Mariano Navone defeats Novak Djokovic in his first ATP victory at U.S. Open
Mariano Navone, a 25-year-old Argentine tennis player who won his first ATP singles title earlier in 2026, defeated Novak Djokovic in the first round of the U.S. Open. This was Navone's first five-set victory in his career. Navone said after the match that defeating Djokovic, whom he idolized growing up, was a dream come true.
Uncertainty about Djokovic's future in professional tennis
Following his first-round elimination at the U.S. Open, questions emerged about whether this match marked the end of Djokovic's career at the U.S. Open and Grand Slam tournaments more broadly. The defeat came exactly 21 years after his U.S. Open debut.
Daniil Medvedev advances at US Open
Daniil Medvedev, ranked 8th and the 2021 US Open champion, defeated French player Hugo Gaston (ranked 91st) 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in the first round.
Venus Williams participates in her 26th US Open at age 46
Venus Williams, ranked 615th and receiving a wild card invitation, played her 26th US Open in singles at age 46, facing American player Sofia Kenin (ranked 110th).
Djokovic's quest for 25th Grand Slam title further diminished
At age 39, Djokovic's prospect of achieving a record 25th Grand Slam title is pushed further into uncertainty following this first-round elimination.
Djokovic's first Grand Slam first-round loss in 20 years
This marks Djokovic's first first-round elimination at a Grand Slam tournament since the Australian Open in 2006, ending a streak of reaching at least the second round for two decades. At the US Open specifically, this was his first first-round loss in 19 participations.
Jessica Pegula advances at US Open
Jessica Pegula, ranked 3rd, defeated Romanian player Elena-Gabriela Ruse (ranked 64th) 6-3, 6-2 in the first round. At 32 years old, Pegula is pursuing her first Grand Slam title and the world No. 1 ranking.
Djokovic lost US Open preparation match in Cincinnati
Two weeks before the US Open, Djokovic showed signs of vulnerability by losing his only warm-up match in Cincinnati, defeated in the first round in oppressive heat.
Djokovic experiences severe physical distress during US Open match
Djokovic suffered repeated vomiting, facial flushing, cramping, and body pain throughout the match. Despite medical support, he struggled physically from early in the first set, requiring ice regularly and eventually succumbing to severe cramping in the fourth set where he lost eight consecutive games.
Novak Djokovic eliminated in first round of US Open by Mariano Navone
Novak Djokovic, ranked 5th, was eliminated in the first round of the US Open on August 30, 2024, losing to Argentine player Mariano Navone (ranked 49th) with a score of 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 after 4 hours and 36 minutes of play.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Djokovic's health struggles fuel retirement speculation after Navone loss
Health struggles at US Open deepen questions about Djokovic's competitive future.
Medvedev, Pegula advance as Williams returns for 26th Open
Medvedev and Pegula advanced; Williams played her 26th US Open at 46.
Djokovic Falls in US Open First Round to Navone
Djokovic eliminated in US Open first round after 20 years, dealing with physical issues.