Aryna Sabalenka turned heads at the 2026 US Open in a daring mesh dress, sparking a firestorm of criticism that she met with unapologetic confidence.
Fashion backlash erupts after mixed‑doubles loss
Sabalenka paired with Novak Djokovic in mixed doubles, only to lose to Kateřina Siniaková and Henry Patten on Aug. 25 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Fashion critics pounced, labeling the outfit a “fishnet over shorts and a sports bra” and calling it “streetwalker chic,” a phrase echoed by a quoted analyst who asked, “Why does New York bring out all the trashy‑ness?”
Social media amplified the outrage, with one user declaring the look a “clown kit” and another insisting it “can’t be actually real.”
Broadcasting guidelines spark debate
New broadcasting rules that discourage “sexualized” shots of female athletes added fuel to the controversy, prompting fans to question whether the criticism was about style or optics.
Sabalenka, who debuted the Nike looks weeks earlier, responded bluntly: “I love my outfit. If someone doesn’t like it, it’s okay. You cannot impress everyone with your outfits. That’s why I like fashion because there is room for whatever.”
Contextual comparisons
Naomi Osaka’s all‑black French Open ensemble, inspired by a jellyfish, also drew attention, underscoring a broader trend of athletes using clothing to make statements on the court.
OutKick commentary
Writer Sean Joseph of OutKick summed up the episode, noting that a mesh dress does not win matches and does not crown a “parade of streetwalker chic.”
“Take that, haters. Nice try,” he wrote, reminding readers that style choices cannot compensate for a lost match.
