Watch Out, VIPs—The On-Court Athlete Outfits at the 2026 US Open Are Stealing the Fashion Show
Our take
The US Open has always been a stage for athletic prowess, but increasingly, it’s becoming a runway, too. This year's tournament, as reported by Marie Claire, is showcasing a fascinating shift: on-court athlete outfits are genuinely stealing the fashion show, with players like Naomi Osaka, Taylor Townsend, and Aryna Sabalenka leading the charge. It’s a development that speaks to a broader cultural moment where personal style and brand identity are intrinsically linked, even within traditionally rigid performance spaces. We’ve seen this evolution reflected in other areas of fashion, like the embrace of casually cool shoe trends This Casually Cool Shoe Trend Is the It Girl Secret to Styling Tank Tops This Fall and the subtle rebellion against outdated fashion rules It Girls Are Protesting Fashion's Most Outdated Rule in This Classic Fall Uniform, suggesting a desire for authenticity and self-expression that transcends conventional boundaries. This isn't merely about aesthetics; it's about athletes reclaiming agency over their image and using their platforms to communicate something beyond their performance.
The significance of this trend extends beyond the immediate visual appeal. For years, athlete sponsorships often dictated uniform choices, resulting in a homogenized look that prioritized brand visibility over individual style. While sponsorships remain vital, the current climate allows for greater creative freedom and collaboration. Players are increasingly involved in the design process, leading to garments that reflect their personalities and aesthetic sensibilities. Consider, too, the power of scent in crafting a personal atmosphere – a parallel to how these on-court looks contribute to an athlete’s overall presence I’m Scenting My Apartment With the 10 Best Fall Candles; both are carefully curated elements that project an image of considered selfhood. This shift represents a move away from the purely functional and towards a more holistic understanding of athletic presentation – one that acknowledges the importance of style as a form of self-expression and a powerful tool for brand building. It's a fascinating example of how fashion can be a conduit for identity, even within the intense pressure of competitive sport.
The impact on the broader fashion landscape could be substantial. As athletes become increasingly recognized as style icons, the lines between sportswear and high fashion continue to blur. We’re already seeing luxury brands actively collaborating with athletes, designing bespoke collections, and incorporating athletic-inspired elements into their mainstream offerings. This cross-pollination not only expands the market for both sectors but also challenges traditional notions of what constitutes "fashionable" attire. The US Open’s current trend suggests that performance wear, once solely judged on its functionality, is now being evaluated through a distinctly aesthetic lens. It’s a validation of the idea that style and substance can coexist, and that even in the realm of elite athleticism, personal expression holds significant value. The carefully considered choices of these athletes are, in essence, a masterclass in quiet confidence and intentional branding.
Looking ahead, it will be compelling to observe how this trend evolves and whether it becomes a permanent fixture of major sporting events. Will we see increased athlete involvement in design, leading to even more personalized and expressive on-court looks? Or will the pressure of sponsorships and performance requirements ultimately reassert control over uniform choices? The subtle power dynamics at play – between athlete, sponsor, and governing body – will undoubtedly shape the future of athletic style, and the 2026 US Open provides a fascinating glimpse into what that future might hold. Ultimately, the question remains: how far will athletes push the boundaries of on-court style while still maintaining the integrity of their sport?
At the 2026 US Open, which runs until September 13, the biggest names in tennis aren't just competing against each other. Legends like Naomi Osaka and Venus Williams are also serving the best on-court outfits.
Thanks to ambassadors like Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, and Williams, athletic labels like New Balance, Nike, and Lacoste, respectively, are practically season ticket holders at the US Open. That's not to say New York-based designers aren't taking center stage at Arthur Ashe Stadium, too. Early in this year's tournament, Osaka and her new stylist, Zendaya's image architect Law Roach, shone the US Open spotlight on Who Decides War: Before winning her first 2026 match, the tennis phenom traded typical warm-up attire for a hoodie-and-tulle-skirt set inspired by Virgil Abloh and the NBA basketball legend Allen Iverson.
That same day, Taylor Townsend debuted the first of five custom outfits created by costume designer Anthony Lattimore and stylist J. Bolin for her 11th US Open. The sleeveless tennis dress, featuring a fringe skirt and a statement color combination, set a high style bar for her (hopeful) winning streak.
Meanwhile, Sabalenka gave her neon orange Nike kit a high-fashion twist: Reuniting with Material Good, the New York brand behind her diamond and emerald jewelry at Wimbledon, she defeated Colombia's Camila Osorio while wearing "over 127 carats of gemstones sourced from around the world."
All this to say? As glamorous as your favorite tennis fans look, shift your focus to the athlete fashion on the court-turned-catwalk. Keep scrolling for Marie Claire's breakdowns of the best match-tested tennis outfits at the 2026 US Open. And don't forget to bookmark this post—it will be updated with even more style Grand Slams until the championship game on Sept. 13.
Naomi Osaka wearing custom Who Decides War
On Aug. 31, Naomi Osaka became her own fiercest competitor—at least on the fashion front. Following custom tennis co-ords from Swiss designer Germanier and Tokyo artist Hana Yagi at the 2026 French Open and Wimbledon, respectively, she outdid herself in a Who Decides War look.
The asymmetrical hoodie and tulle skirt paid tribute to Iverson's signature sweatsuits. Meanwhile, the newspaper clippings design honored Osaka's journey to her 10th US Open, "representing both the accomplishments earned and the setbacks endured throughout Naomi’s path to this moment."
Naomi Osaka wearing custom Nike
Once it came time to defeat Russia's Anastasia Zakharova, Osaka removed her court-touching hoodie and tulle skirt, revealing a black tank top, a metallic silver mini skirt, and matching accessories, all from Nike. For her good luck charm, the brand ambassador stayed true to her namesake, Nike Gp Challenge 1.5 "Naomi Osaka" sneakers.
Aryna Sabalenka wearing custom Nike and Material Good
One week before the 2026 US Open, Aryna Sabalenka tested the cobalt blue color trend at the Cincinnati Open. By the time the Belarusian athlete returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium, she continued her jewel tone style series in a clementine-colored sports bra, biker shorts, and a semi-sheer dress, courtesy of Nike.
In true Sabalenka style, she couldn't pick up her racquet before frosting herself in a full suite of sparklers. Material Good's statement-making necklace was the star of the show, with 83.20 total carats of bezel-cut sapphire, tourmaline, garnet, and more encrusted into the ribbed gold hardware. She paired it with an identical bracelet, also from Material Good.
Taylor Townsend wearing Anthony Lattimore
Little did fans know, Taylor Townsend's US Open style story was just getting started when she defeated Maja Chwalinska of Poland on Aug. 31. Her new stylist, J. Bolin, tells Marie Claire that there's a slew of tennis looks waiting in the wings, should she advance to the championship match.
"All of the [inspiration photos] that [Taylor] sent me, everything had some sort of movement," he says. Between the dress's sculptural linework, the beaded fringe, and the supportive stretch, "we have fashion, fluidity, and functionality."
Sloane Stephens
Sloane Stephens won against Denmark's Clara Tauson while wearing a black-and-white take on the drop-waist dress trend. The subtle ruffles along the hem made the feminine silhouette even softer.
Thea Frodin wearing Nike
Back in 2021, Thea Frodin was Serena Williams's stunt and body double in King Richard. Now, after winning the wild card draw, she's making her US Open debut. Perhaps in homage, Frodin tested the same cobalt color trend Williams wore before the tournament and on previous courts.
Venus Williams wearing Lacoste
Yes, Venus Williams lost her first-round singles match on day one of the US Open, but her Lacoste look was a total win. Before unveiling her Wimbledon-worthy tennis whites, she waved to fans in a hybrid windbreaker-poncho with wing-like sleeves. Tennis skirt-like pleats covered the violet, white, and charcoal gray design.
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