US Open fans voiced strong disapproval of American player Taylor Townsend's distinctive pre-match outfit on Sunday, a day after she took on world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Townsend, 30, arrived at Arthur Ashe Stadium in an all-black, feathered ensemble with her hood up, a choice that quickly ignited debate on social media.
The discourse surrounding player attire has been a recurring theme at this year's U.S. Open, with other prominent players like Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka also drawing attention for their fashion choices.
Social media reactions ranged from disbelief to outright criticism. One user on X described the outfit as "f***ing embarrassing" and "ridiculous," suggesting that U.S. Open matches should adopt a dress code similar to Wimbledon. Another commenter shared a photo of Townsend's ensemble, questioning, "What the hell is she wearing? Taylor Townsend looks ridiculous." A third user humorously remarked, "These 'look at me' getups are becoming a tad tiresome. If Taylor was going for the Sasquatch look, she certainly nailed it."
Townsend's outfit joins a pattern of unconventional pre-match wear at the tournament. Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, previously turned heads with a black basketball-inspired outfit that exposed her sports bra and matching briefs. She later wore a similar bright orange ensemble and subsequently a fully black version.
Naomi Osaka has also been a subject of fan commentary regarding her outfits. She appeared in an all-white ensemble featuring a long overshirt with tennis racket designs, which at one point caused her to trip. On another occasion, Osaka wore a gray zip-up hoodie under a plaid blazer with wide-leg trousers.
