Naomi Osaka's eye-catching US Open outfit has a deeper meaning most fans won't realise

Naomi Osaka wore an eye-catching outfit for her walk-out to the court ahead of her first round win at the US Open - and it has a deeper meaning behind it than some may realise.

Osaka, a two-time US Open singles champion, defeated Anastasia Zakharova 7-6 7-6 in just over two hours to progress to round two.

She won two tiebreaks by scores of 8-6 and 7-3 to progress, with women's doubles number one Katerina Siniakova awaiting in the next round.

Osaka has become renowned for wearing stylish outfits during her walk-ons, particularly at Grand Slams - and she did the same on Monday evening.

The Japanese star wore a grey hooded robe, featuring newspaper clippings of Osaka, alongside an all-white skirt.

Once she arrived at the court, she pulled up her hood to reveal a cornrow hairstyle, complete with a red and white-striped headband.

The outfit was in fact a tribute to former NBA star Allen Iverson, who Osaka described as a 'trailblazer' for how he 'shifted the way that NBA players dress'.

"He's someone who I look up to a lot because he's done a lot in fashion - whether it's on purpose or not," Osaka said in her pre-tournament press conference.

"But he's shifted the way that NBA players dress. And I also think the whole conversation around clothes in sports, and just expressing yourself through style. I feel like he's someone who I look up to in that regard."

"Zero right now," she replied, when asked if she'd had any communication with Iverson prior to the US Open. "But hopefully he'll see this!"

In her post-match interview after beating Zakharova, Osaka added: "Nike said basketball, so I said, 'OK, if you want basketball, I'll give you basketball!'

"But I love, I guess, expressing myself through clothes. I don't like talking that much, I tell people. So I'm glad you guys appreciate it, and I'll see you guys in the next round."

Iverson did indeed spot Osaka's choice of outfit, and replied to one of her posts on Instagram: "Wow, what a honor! BIG FAN can't wait to meet you."

Osaka, who won the US Open in 2018 and 2020, could face world number two Elena Rybakina in the fourth round of the final Grand Slam of the season.

Rybakina will end the tournament ranked as world number one if Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff and current incumbent Aryna Sabalenka all fail to win the title. The Kazakh star will also guarantee her move up the rankings if she reaches the semi-final.

Osaka, herself a former world number one, is currently ranked 13th and is firmly established within the top 16 of women's singles tennis.