Earlier this week we showcased two versions of a striking Nike dress that many believed was designed exclusively for Aryna Sabalenka to debut at the US Open. However, the exclusivity of what fans dubbed “the Sabalenka dress” was thrown into question when the black version made its first appearance during qualifying in New York.
The expectation was clear: world No. 1 and defending US Open champion Sabalenka would be the first and only player to unveil Nike’s glamorous new design, featuring a daring cutout waist and shimmering trim. While Nike itself doesn’t specifically link the piece directly to Sabalenka, Tennis Warehouse Europe lists it as the “Nike Women’s New York Slam Sabalenka Crop Dress.” That’s why fans were stunned when Oksana Selekhmeteva stepped onto court in the black version of the dress for her opening-round qualifying match against Julia Riera.
So far, the dress has been spotted in black and white, but a red edition is also in circulation. This has sparked speculation that Sabalenka may choose the red variant for the main draw, ensuring she delivers a distinct look compared to the Russian qualifier.
In the second round, Selekhmeteva swapped the Sabalenka dress for a red Nike Fall Slam Tank and a burgundy Fall Slam Skirt, but for the decisive third round she returned to the Sabalenka look and sealed her spot in the US Open main draw where she will face Marketa Vondrousova in the first round.
Selekhmeteva is not officially sponsored by Nike, so chances are she simply liked the dress and bought it herself. It’s already available online, including at Tennis Warehouse USA and Tennis Warehouse Europe.
It’s worth noting that Sabalenka, despite her long-standing dominance on the Hologic WTA Tour, has rarely been honored with exclusive Nike designs. The 2023 US Open was the only occasion when she received a custom outfit. In contrast, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, currently far less successful at tournaments, has enjoyed a steady stream of personalized dresses and shoes from the brand.
