Taylor Townsend, an American tennis player, drew significant attention and criticism for her pre-match outfit at the US Open on Sunday. Fans expressed their disapproval on social media over her choice to wear a striking, all-black feathered ensemble with the hood up as she walked onto Arthur Ashe Stadium for her match against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
The outfit quickly went viral, with many users on X, formerly Twitter, calling it "ridiculous" and an "embarrassment." One fan suggested that US Open matches should follow Wimbledon's lead in adhering to more traditional tennis attire. Another commented that Townsend's look resembled "Sasquatch."
Townsend's attire added to a developing theme at this year's US Open, where other players have also faced scrutiny for their fashion choices. Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, previously turned heads with a black basketball-inspired outfit that exposed her bright orange sports bra and matching briefs. She later wore a similar ensemble in all bright orange before changing to a black version for a subsequent match.
Naomi Osaka has also drawn criticism from fans for her bold outfits during the tournament. She appeared in an all-white ensemble featuring a long overshirt with tennis rackets stitched into the design, which she tripped on as she walked to the net. In another instance, she wore a light-gray zip-up hoodie under a plaid blazer with wide-leg trousers.
