During Friday’s US Open press conference, WTA world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka made her stance clear on her bold orange-and-black Nike look during the event, as opinions split online. 

"I love basically everything about my outfit,” said Sabalenka. “I love that it's different. I love that this outfit is bold. Whatever people saying on Internet, I heard they probably didn't like it… It's funny for me."

For Sabalenka, the noise online was never going to change how she felt walking out in it.

"So who cares about people, right? All that matters for me is that I love it," added Sabalenka during the US Open presser on August 29, reported via YouTube. 

The comments came after the mesh, jersey-style top, worn over an orange sports bra and shorts, first drew attention when Sabalenka wore it during her mixed doubles match with Novak Djokovic on Aug. 26. 

According to Autumn Hawkins of Sporting News, the reaction hasn't been kind, with some fans calling it "tacky" when she first previewed it on Instagram back in July.

But Sabalenka has a reason behind the design. The outfit continues a running theme for the 28-year-old, who has paired each Grand Slam look with a nod to the host country's signature sport.

"This year it was super special for Nike… it was always related to different sports," Sabalenka said. "Surfing for the Australian Open, ballet for Roland Garros, cricket for Wimbledon. Now it's basketball, and we're in New York. Isn't it the perfect fit?"

That explains why the design leans so heavily on basketball-style mesh paneling rather than the more traditional tennis silhouettes she's worn at past majors.

Sabalenka says the criticism was never going to change her approach

The defending champion pointed out that fans have found something to critique no matter what she's worn on court, whether the designs leaned toward simplicity or experimentation.

"When Nike was pretty simple and standard, they were complaining. When Nike went really cool and fun and trying to get back, they always complain," Sabalenka said during the same Friday’s press conference. 

For Sabalenka, that pattern is exactly why she's stopped factoring outside opinion into what she wears.

She also brushed off the idea that the backlash takes away from the experience, noting there's an upside to standing out on tennis's biggest stages.

"For me, it's super fun. Plus it's really cool for pictures, so," the world No. 1 added.

Sabalenka will look to carry that same confidence onto the court when she opens her US Open title defense against Camila Osorio on Monday, Aug. 31.

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Written by

Rudra Dubey