‘Heard that they didn’t like it’

Aryna Sabalenka is stepping into this year’s U.S. Open as the defending women’s singles champion, and she’s already causing a stir.

Not for her playing, though, but as it turns out, for her outfit! The 28-year-old current world No. 1 attracted mixed comments from fans online for one of her looks for a U.S. Open fan week preview game.

While playing an exhibition doubles match beside Novak Djokovič against Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten (which they lost), Aryna wore one of her new Nike kits as part of her collaboration with the brand for the Open.

Aryna Sabalenka responds to fan comments on her “bold” mesh dress

She sported a full mesh dress with white piping, completely see-through, which she’d paired with a bright orange sports bra and matching shorts, though apparently, fans on social media didn’t fully vibe with the look.

However, as she told press ahead of the Open’s first day, per People: “I love it,” and was super happy to shout out her look further, which is meant to represent a mash-up of tennis with basketball. “This year it was super special for Nike… it was always related to different sports.” 

Saying of her other kits with the brand: “Surfing for 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?”

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She continued: “I love basically everything about my outfit. 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.”

Aryna added: “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. So who cares about people, right? All that matters for me is that I love it.”

Aryna on her sense of style – and where it came from

Speaking previously with Harper’s Bazaar, the famously fashionable athlete attributed her playful sense of style to her mother Yulia. “She always dressed me very classy.”

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“She’d say, ‘You have to be chic, classy, and elegant,'” she recalled. “Back then, I didn’t understand that. But I get it now.”

And as she’s continued to spend more and more time in the public eye, she’s embraced whatever chance she gets to put on a show with her fashion. “I feel better when I know that I look good. It gives me confidence. I can have fun with it. I’m always in a good mood when I have a moment to dress up.”

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Aryna on her 2026 U.S. Open chances

As for how she sees her game, while speaking with press ahead of the Open, Aryna addressed some of her recent losses this season, including Toronto and Cincinnati, after getting knocked out of Wimbledon.

“It wasn’t the best period,” she said, per ESPN, while not getting into specifics. “I don’t want to defend myself, but obviously I just don’t want to talk about that period. I’ve been dealing with several things.”

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“But who cares, right? Yeah, I didn’t perform my best. These tough lessons are definitely going to make me way, way stronger and working even harder. I work on my mental side of the game. I was trying to reset my mind and to come back stronger, so it’s only going to make me stronger. It’s only a matter of time for me to come back.”