Updated

Updated · Fox News · Aug 26

Sabalenka Draws 'Streetwalker' Insults Over US Open Mesh Dress in 1st-Round Mixed Doubles Loss

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Aug 26

Sabalenka Draws 'Streetwalker' Insults Over US Open Mesh Dress in 1st-Round Mixed Doubles Loss

Q: Will Sabalenka’s controversial basketball-inspired outfit distract from her historic quest for a third consecutive US Open title?

Probably not, unless her recent form issues carry into the main draw. The outfit is generating attention, but Sabalenka has shown little sign that it is affecting her focus. She has already addressed the criticism directly, saying she likes the basketball-inspired Nike design, expected mixed reactions, and sees fashion as personal expression. The available reporting also suggests she helped push Nike toward bolder, less traditional designs, which makes this less a distraction imposed on her than a look she chose to embrace. The bigger threat to her bid for a third straight US Open title is on-court, not off-court. Sabalenka enters New York as the top seed and still one of the favorites, but she has lost before the quarterfinals in three straight events, including a Cincinnati defeat after letting leads slip away. Her No. 1 ranking is also under pressure, with Elena Rybakina in position to overtake her depending on results. At the same time, Sabalenka’s record at Flushing Meadows gives strong reason to doubt that a fashion debate will define her tournament. She is a two-time defending champion, remains one of the tour’s most dangerous hard-court players, and is chasing a milestone no woman has achieved in New York since Serena Williams won three straight from 2014 to 2016. So the outfit may dominate social media and TV cutaways, but her title chances are far more likely to be decided by her serve, composure, and ability to reverse her recent dip in form.

2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 26

Aryna Sabalenka faced online abuse after appearing at the US Open in a mesh dress over shorts and a sports bra during Fan Week mixed doubles on Aug. 25.
Critics labeled the outfit a "streetwalker" look, a "clown kit" and "trashy," shifting attention from her on-court appearance with Novak Djokovic at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Sabalenka had already signaled she expected backlash over the new Nike look, saying earlier this month that she loved the outfit and did not need to "impress everyone."
The fashion reaction came as Sabalenka and Djokovic lost their mixed doubles match to Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten at the 2026 US Open.