August 25, 2026, New York City, New York, USA: ARYNA SABALENKA during the match mixed doubles round 1/16 final US Open with N. Djokovic Serbia against H. Patten Great Britain and K. Siniakova Czech Republic. New York, USA. New York City USA - ZUMAc278 20260825_zsp_c278_010 Copyright: xMarcinxCholewinskix
August 25, 2026, New York City, New York, USA: ARYNA SABALENKA during the match mixed doubles round 1/16 final US Open with N. Djokovic Serbia against H. Patten Great Britain and K. Siniakova Czech Republic. New York, USA. New York City USA - ZUMAc278 20260825_zsp_c278_010 Copyright: xMarcinxCholewinskix
Aryna Sabalenka is not letting anyone ruin her mood in New York. The # 1 has completely brushed off the online criticism regarding her bold, basketball-inspired Nike outfit ahead of the 2026 US Open.
The controversy surrounds her custom black and orange Nike kit. The design features a black mesh, jersey-style top layered over a bright orange sports bra with matching shorts.
Asked about the backlash during media day in New York on Friday, Sabalenka said, “Who cares about people, right? All that matters to me is that I love it. For me, it’s super fun. Plus, it’s really cool for pictures, too,” per a video shared by The Tennis Letter on X.
Tennis: Australian Open Jan 21, 2026 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Aryna Sabalenka in action against Zhuoxuan Bai of China in the second round of the womens singles at the Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park. Melbourne Melbourne Park Victoria Australia, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMikexFreyx 20260120_lbm_zg6_213
Tennis: Australian Open Jan 21, 2026 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Aryna Sabalenka in action against Zhuoxuan Bai of China in the second round of the womens singles at the Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park. Melbourne Melbourne Park Victoria Australia, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMikexFreyx 20260120_lbm_zg6_213
The backlash started well before Sabalenka stepped onto the Arthur Ashe Stadium court. Sabalenka first showed off the US Open kit on Instagram on July 31.
Fans got their first live look at the outfit when the 28-year-old teamed up with Novak Djokovic for a mixed doubles exhibition match earlier in the week.
Some people started comparing it to 'fishing nets', while others called it one of Nike's worst looks for her.
Sabalenka, however, explained that Nike built a special theme across all four Grand Slam tournaments this season, giving each host country a nod through its signature sport.
“This year it was super special for Nike… it was always related to different sports. 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?” she said.
She also pointed out that critics on the internet are almost impossible to please.
“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,” she added, per the same video shared by The Tennis Letter on X.
That's why Sabalenka didn't stop at the outfit to make a statement.
She paired the kit with a custom Material Good jewelry suite featuring sapphires, tourmaline, garnet, zircon, spinel, chrysoberyl, and tanzanite meant to reflect the city's multicultural identity.
Paula Badosa steps up to defend Sabalenka
Besides the recent outfit criticism, Sabalenka has also faced questions about her form on the court.
Sabalenka defended her Brisbane title, reached the Australian Open final before falling to Elena Rybakina.
Since March, though, Sabalenka's form has dropped off sharply: a quarterfinal exit to Diana Shnaider at the French Open, a fourth-round loss to Naomi Osaka at Wimbledon, an early exit to Ekaterina Alexandrova in Toronto, and a fourth-round upset loss to Sara Bejlek in Cincinnati.
Those losses sparked online claims that Sabalenka’s busy schedule of fashion shoots, vacations, and social media posts was distracting her from tennis.
Fellow WTA star Paula Badosa, who shares a close bond with Sabalenka—a friendship fans affectionately nicknamed "Sabadosa"— strongly dismissed that theory.
"She's still No. 1 in the world. So I think the results are there," Badosa said, pointing out that expecting any player to win every event is unrealistic, per INQUIRER.
She noted that Sabalenka has been living the same way — sharing her life off the court — since long before she was even a top-100 player, and that nobody raised an eyebrow about it while she was winning.
Written by
Md Saife Fida