Aryna Sabalenka Opens Up About Her See-Through Dress at the US Open
US Open defending champion Aryna Sabalenka has shared her thoughts on the talked-about Nike outfit she’s wearing at Flushing Meadows.
Sabalenka is aiming for her third straight US Open win and kicked things off with a solid win over Camila Osorio in the first round. After playing mixed doubles with Novak Djokovic in a black mesh dress during the US Open fan week, she switched to a bright orange dress for her first singles match on Monday.
The Nike dress, with white trim, covers an orange sports bra and shorts underneath. It’s gotten mixed reactions from tennis fans. Nike says the design mixes a classic tennis look with the light feel of a basketball uniform.
Fans have had different opinions about her style this past week in New York, but Sabalenka is fully positive about it.
“I love it,” she said about her US Open dresses. “This year, it was really special for Nike. Each outfit is inspired by a different sport: surfing for the Australian Open, ballet for Roland Garros, cricket for Wimbledon, and now basketball here in New York. It feels just right! I love everything about my outfit. It’s bold and different. Whatever people say online, I find it funny because it’s clear some just don’t like it.”
The black dress first appeared on Sabalenka’s Instagram, where fans had mixed feelings. Some loved it, but Nike’s post received many negative comments, similar to reactions to Naomi Osaka’s US Open outfit.
One fan wrote, “Fire your designer! This isn’t tennis wear.” Another commented, “This dress is unflattering and ugly! The lady is world number one and attractive, yet Nike comes up with this beach shawl!” Others kept it simple, saying, “We don’t like it.”
Next up, world number one Sabalenka will play Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko in round two. She had an easy win over Osorio to start her title defense after beating local favorite Amanda Anisimova in last year’s final to keep her US Open crown and win her fourth Grand Slam singles title.
At 28, Sabalenka also won the Australian Open back-to-back in 2023 and 2024 but lost in the finals the following two years. Earlier this year, she didn’t get past the quarterfinals in the French Open or Wimbledon.
Sabalenka’s 2026 season has had some ups and downs due to tiredness and injuries. Her loss in the fourth round at Wimbledon was the first time since the 2022 French Open that she didn’t reach at least the quarterfinals in a major she played.