Aryna Sabalenka turned heads on Tuesday as she unveiled her bold on-court look for this year’s US Open.
The women’s world No. 1 appeared at Arthur Ashe Stadium alongside Novak Djokovic, with the high-profile duo teaming up in the mixed doubles competition before the Grand Slam’s main draw gets underway on Sunday.
As two of tennis’s biggest names, Sabalenka and Djokovic were widely tipped to make a deep run in a 16-team field packed with star power and chasing a $1 million prize.
Instead, their campaign ended abruptly with a surprise opening-match loss to Britain’s Henry Patten and Czech standout Katerina Siniakova.
Even so, much of the post-match conversation centered on Sabalenka’s outfit, after she walked onto the court wearing a striking Nike dress.
The Belarusian, who is backed by the sportswear brand, wore a black mesh design that fully revealed an electric orange sports bra and matching briefs underneath.
Aryna Sabalenka drew attention as she showed off her US Open look for this year’s tournament
The women’s world No. 1 partnered Novak Djokovic in the mixed doubles event at Arthur Ashe Stadium
Tennis fans were quick to slam the risque outfit, with many branding it trashy on social media.
‘How about that – Sabalenka leading the parade of streetwalker chic at the US Open with fishnet over shorts and a sports bra,’ one social media user wrote on X. ‘Why does New York bring out all the trashy-ness ?’
‘This sabalenka clown kit can’t be actually real,’ another posted as a third questioned: ‘What is this outfit on Sabalenka???’
Another asked: ‘What in f***ing Earth is Aryna Sabalenka wearing? The netting and the heavy tacky jewellery. Who put her in that?’
‘Sabalenka is such a diva, in the best way lol,’ a more positive fan shared. ‘Those earrings and necklace lol. It’s kinda ugly but I still love it considering how over the top it is for tennis #USOpen.’
‘Nike really saw Sabalenka is going to lose #1 and punished her with this kit,’ claimed another.
‘Sabalenka dress looks awful. Just god awful,’ criticized one fan, while another added: ‘Sabalenka has lost her mind what the f*** is she wearing?’
The four-time Grand Slam champion dismissed criticism over her look earlier this month after she unveiled it on social media.
They suffered a defeat in their opening match against Henry Patten and Katerina Siniakova
The world No 1 accessorized with dazzling jewelry as her outfit set tongues wagging
She said: ‘I really think, honestly, that recently they’ve been more creative and more fun, and we’re definitely on to something really fun, especially for the next year.
‘So I’m excited to partner with them to, you know, come up with some fun, fresh new designs, and I love my outfit. If someone doesn’t like it, it’s okay, you know, like you cannot impress everyone with your outfits, and that’s why I like fashion.’
Sabalenka and Djokovic were humbled by Patten and Siniakova, who rallied after losing the first set to win 1-4, 4-2, 10-2 in the first round of the mixed doubles event at Flushing Meadows.
Siniakova, ranked No. 1 in women’s doubles, ended the match with an ace while serving to Djokovic.
‘Kat acing Novak on match point was pretty fun,’ Patten said after the match, before a quick turnaround to play their quarterfinal match against the married pair of Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils.
Sabalenka and Djokovic will now turn their attention to their individual games with both stars competing in the singles events, which begin on Sunday.
