Although Nike says its mesh-heavy US Open collection is inspired by basketball aesthetics, most fans’ first association was fishnets, particularly after Aryna Sabalenka unveiled her controversial, ultra-revealing dress. The women’s Slam Dunk collection, as it’s called, draws heavily on the aesthetic of the WNBA’s New York Liberty.
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New Balance’s Coco Gauff has been infusing basketball DNA into her tennis gear for years, with her signature CG2 shoe taking inspiration from the sport’s aesthetics. Nike is now tapping into the same basketball influence, unveiling a range of new US Open designs that incorporate mesh elements borrowed from the world of hoops.
According to tennis content creator Eliza Wastcoat, the orange color of the bra and shorts visible underneath Sabalenka’s fishnet dress is inspired by the WNBA logo, while the fishnet layer itself is actually a reference to the basketball net. The bold black-and-orange combination is intended for Sabalenka’s night matches.
Naomi Osaka https://t.co/15mMlEQ2Ll pic.twitter.com/zDINCbrGAQ
— ཁྱབ་འཇུག 💜💜 (@Vishsidd2007) July 31, 2026
The theme behind Naomi Osaka‘s monochrome look is “Draft Day.” The tennis fashion icon of this era will debut both day (silver) and night (black) outfits at the US Open, with their mixed chrome finishes designed to reflect movement and form.
shoes shoes shoes for us open 👀 pic.twitter.com/9e5JzfPxV9
— Ana (@thegreatestana) July 31, 2026
Speaking to Tennis Channel in Washington, where she is awaiting her semifinal match at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, Osaka was very secretive about her US Open outfit, refusing to reveal any details. However, she did confirm that the theme is basketball.
already feel bad for whoever has to wear these at us open pic.twitter.com/wBsmd8gWMX
— 元气豆沙包 (@hoppang121) July 30, 2026
Zheng Qinwen and most other Nike stars will opt for separates, which are more conservative than the previously covered looks, with mesh incorporated much more subtly into tanks, skirts, and shorts. Here, the basketball references appear more evident, especially in the blue shorts.
