Sabalenka talks about her outfit for the US Open and her pressures on Nike
The world number 1 has revealed that she has pressured Nike to be more creative with their designs, and she has finally succeeded.
Aryna Sabalenka is regaining her best form at the WTA Toronto 2026, where she is already in the round of 16 after defeating Shuai Zhang in two comfortable sets. In the post-match press conference, the world number 1 not only spoke about this but also about how happy she is with the outfit that Nike has prepared for the US Open after pushing them to be more creative in their designs.
Sabalenka acknowledged that there have been times when Nike limited itself to making more basic designs, which is why she kept asking them to be more creative, something she has finally achieved. According to the Belarusian tennis player, this year the focus at each Grand Slam has been centered on a different sport, so at the US Open, basketball will be the main theme around which her outfit revolves, something she is quite pleased with.
Sabalenka, satisfied with Nike
I love Nike's outfit this year, because all the designs are related to different sports. For example, Australia was related to surfing. Then, Roland Garros, with ballet. After that, Wimbledon, with cricket, and the US Open with basketball. I feel like I look like a basketball, so it's a lot of fun. For a long time, they have stuck to basic things. I've been pushing them to create something more fun, different, with different shapes and ideas for the dress.
I have had a great time, and I honestly think that lately they have been more creative and more fun, and we are definitely on the right track for something really fun, especially for next year. I am excited to collaborate with them to create some new, fresh, and fun designs. I love my outfit. If someone doesn't like it, that's fine. You can't impress everyone with your clothes. That's why I like fashion, because there's room for everything, basically whatever you want.
Sabalenka, a basketball fan
I love it. But when I watch basketball, I like to sit by the court. I'm always impressed by the movement. I think: "Guys, how do they do it?". I always send videos to my personal trainer saying: "I definitely think we're doing something wrong". Because if these guys, with their size, can move like that, then I'm also doing something wrong (laughs). No, I'm joking, but I enjoy sitting by the court because I can see the movement, the reaction. I don't know, it feels different.
Compliments to Zhang
Yes, she is an impressive player. The level she always shows on the court, she always improves her game. In doubles, she is a beast. I have played many matches against her in doubles. It is always a tough match. In singles, you know she will be there, she will try until the last point. So yes, she is a complicated opponent. I would say she has excellent precision with the ball, and it really wasn't easy to play against her.
All opponents who defeat her before the final lose in the next round since 2025
I think we should put this statistic out there and ask players: Why would they want to beat me if they know this is what will happen in the next round? No, I mean, I think it's a coincidence, to be honest. Every match I have lost lately has been in three sets. They were very demanding matches, very high-performance matches. Sometimes, if you schedule a match against a player the next day, it's hard to play excellent tennis after playing three sets at maximum. Physically, I feel it is hard to recover. So I think it is just a matter of scheduling. I don't know, but it's quite impressive. We should talk more about it, to pressure players a bit more (laughs).
How many matches do you need to be fit for the US Open?
I don't know. It's always different. That's the beauty of the sport because there are no guarantees. It's as if every time it's a different story, completely distinct. How many matches do I need? As many as I can, probably. The other issue is that I'm getting older, so I can probably play less, to arrive at the US Open fresher. So, I don't know, that's a good question.
Pressure from age
Not at all. I feel that at the beginning of my career I was someone who overthought things, which discouraged and stressed me a lot. But lately, I don't like to think too much. That is probably another issue I face. No extra pressure. I just feel more experienced, but I still don't feel old (laughs).
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