“Game, Set, Style: 2024 US Open Fashion in review."
- bhandarisugandha90
- Feb 8
- 3 min read
The US Open is not just about top-notch tennis; it’s also the ultimate fashion runway where aces and double faults occur side by side. Players and fans come dressed to impress, with outfits as carefully crafted as a Federer backhand. So, when Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic make early exits, leaving the men’s singles wide open, the fashion spotlight shifts faster than a Serena serve to the remaining players — and to those killer outfits
Now, while I’m all in for a Jannik Sinner showdown, the real battle, however, is being fought on the fashion front, at least in my eyes. As for the women’s singles, seeing some of my favorites like Iga Swiatek, Aryana Sabalenka, and Emma Navarro sticking around, I’m crossing my fingers for the Swiatek-Sabalenka finale.
However, the tutu with ruffles has already won the tournament, quite fashionably. It’s practically a tradition now, and it’s not just making heads turn — it’s making them stay firmly fixed.
Let’s dive into some of the outstanding & not so Wow kits from this year’s tournament:
Naomi Osaka: She might not have lasted long in the tournament, but her style left a lasting impression. No doubt Nike went the extra mile. On day 1 she stunned spectators in a lime green & coquette theme outfit, complete with matching bows on her headphones and shoes. The bow was a nod to her Japanese roots. Most players are lucky to wear one outfit during a tournament, but Naomi? She’s got options — and I can’t help but wonder what she had lined up for Round 3.
Marta Kostyuk: World №19 sponsored by Wilson, fought her opponents in a Neon yellow flowy silhouette, perfectly blending femininity with sporty vibes. According to her recent Vogue interview, Kostyuk is no stranger to on-court fashion: Her 2024 “Wimbledon white” was meant to pay homage to wedding white, and was inspired by her wedding dress. Now that’s a commitment to on-court fashion.
Coco Gauff: The reigning champ from 2023 hit the court on Day 1 looking ready to defend her title in a yellow and cornflower blue kit by New Balance. The soothing color with popping accessories “Olympic rings necklace” added flair.
Jessica Pegula, Caroline Wozniacki & Maria Sakkari: Love their game, but Adidas, what happened? Some of the great players with high energy, but their kit? Not so much. Adidas seems to have missed the mark not sure if they were going behind a wetsuit-inspired look or color-blocking inspired by New York courts. Great idea, lost in execution.
A few brands that chose to play safe Fila, Asics & Alo, definitely had the potential to take center stage with Emma Navarro & Jasmine Paollini.
Men’s fashion? Well, it’s not exactly ground-breaking but it’s all about the essentials: peak performance and comfort. With engineered fabrics and breathable mesh panels, the focus is on function. What stood out was the color sherbet splashed across the On & Nike kits — sporty, vibrant, and eye-catching. Footwear and accessories added the final touches, with players using them to elevate their style game. Tommy Paul took it a step further, swapping out the traditional Sweatband for a trucker hat and an orange De Bethune. Why not, right?
While some brands took the assignment seriously, it’s time for sponsors to catch up. Ralph Lauren, as the official sponsor of the US Open, let’s rethink those ball girl and ball boy uniforms. They need to be as sporty and weather-friendly as the players’ gear.
Brands take note — Let’s capitalize on the individual sport & not turn this into a team sport with twining outfits. That’s what the Davis Cup or Olympics is for. We don’t want to see opponents in the same colors/kit & not keen to watch a doubles match with two different teams looking like identical quadruplets. As an individual sport, spectators are looking at brands to showcase a variety of colors and styles.
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