NIKE RECEIVES CRITICISM OVER SABALENKA'S US OPEN KIT DESIGN

Aryna Sabalenka revealed her kit for the US Open, designed by Nike, which drew negative responses from tennis fans on social media. The outfit featured an orange-themed top and shorts with a black mesh net overlay. According to reports, Nike designed the kit to signify the world No. 1's playing strength, but fans disagreed with the aesthetic choice.

The US Open kit differs markedly from Sabalenka's outfits at the other three Grand Slam tournaments this year. Her Australian Open kit combined pink, orange and black, whilst her French Open outfit featured red and black. Nike has experimented with net design elements in player kits at other tournaments; the brand outfitted world No. 1 Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon with a jacket featuring digitally made perforations in a net pattern to ensure comfort during play.

This marks another instance this year in which Nike has faced criticism regarding Sabalenka's Grand Slam kits. The brand continues to use net design approaches across its professional tennis collections, though the reception to Sabalenka's US Open outfit suggests the approach did not resonate with observers of the sport.