Two-time reigning US Open singles champion Aryna Sabalenka Camila Osorio dropped 6-4, 6-4 on Monday to start her 2026 run in Flushing.
But for the tennis world’s army of fashionistas, the bigger story may have been her decision to double down on Nike’s pure tennis apparel. After being criticized for wearing a black basketball-inspired ensemble for the mixed-doubles competition on Monday in Queens, Sabalenka donned a similar outfit, only this time in bright orange.
As for the reason behind the change, Sabalenka explained that it is because sponsor Nike developed day and night versions of the outfit for her to wear during the 2026 US Open.
“To be honest, I didn’t know I had a day dress,” she said. ‘I thought I had a black dress with orange underneath. I thought [out] When I went to Nike I actually had a day session and a night session, which is like black and orange for the day.”
Sabalenka, the favorite to win in New York, turned heads earlier this week when she appeared alongside in court Novak Djokovic in the mixed doubles: The 28-year-old Belarusian wore a black mesh dress from Nike during the match, leaving her bright orange sports bra and matching briefs completely visible underneath.
Tennis fans were quick to condemn the daring outfit, although Sabalenka did not shy away from criticism.
Two-time reigning US Open singles champion Aryna Sabalenka dropped Camila Osorio 6-4, 6-4 on Monday to start her 2026 run in Vlissingen
Sabalenka’s orange kit was designed by Nike for the day competition at the US Open
The black kit was designed by Nike for Sabalenka to wear during night matches
“Who cares what people think?” she told reporters at Flushing Meadows at media day on Friday. “I love it,” she added.
As she explained, her Grand Slam outfits are inspired by the cities where the four tournaments are played.
“Surfing for the Australian Open, ballet for Roland Garros, cricket for Wimbledon,” she said. “Now it’s basketball and we’re in New York. Doesn’t it fit perfectly?’
The outfit certainly got fans’ tongues wagging on social media, with one viewer writing: ‘How about this: Sabalenka leading the parade of streetwalker chic at the US Open wearing fishnet over shorts and a sports bra. Why does New York bring out all this junk?”
“This Sabalenka clown kit can’t really be real,” another posted while a third wondered: “What is this outfit on Sabalenka???”
Another asked: ‘What the hell is Aryna Sabalenka wearing? The mesh and the heavy sticky jewelry. Who put her in there?’
Sabalenka talks to Djokovic during the mixed doubles match in Vlissingen on August 25
Sabalenka has been to the last three US Open finals, bouncing back from a loss to Coco Gauff in 2023 to win in 2024 and then beat Amanda Anisimova last year and repeat.
“I feel like this is one of my favorite stadiums,” Sabalenka told the crowd after Monday’s win. ‘I really experienced the best emotions here in this stadium.’
She must certainly have been happier with the level of tennis she achieved on Monday, after a string of poor events at the US Open. She was eliminated in the fourth round in both Toronto and Cincinnati, after being dropped at the same point at Wimbledon.
As a result, Sabalenka will need help to maintain the No. 1 position even if she wins again in New York. No. 2 Elena Rybakina will pass her if she reaches the semi-finals, and won’t even have to win matches if Sabalenka fails to win the title.
