The 2024 US Open Day 2 saw some of the biggest names in tennis such as Carlos Alcaraz, Naomi Osaka, and Iga Swiatek strut their stuff in fashion and performance. Tennis stars made headlines with their outfits as much as their victories.
From Alcaraz’s signature sleeveless Nike design to Osaka’s Harajuku-inspired outfit, the first day was a blend of athleticism and style. Let’s dive into the best and worst outfits from Day 2 of the 2024 US Open:
The best and worst outfits from Day 2 of the 2024 US Open
Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz, the third-seeded Spaniard at the US Open, made a strong fashion statement with his classic Nike sleeveless black elastic T-shirt and custom Nike Vapor 11 shoes. His outfit was not just about style, but also functionality, allowing him to move freely and comfortably during his 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory over Australian Li Tu in two hours and 42 minutes.
With his 60th victory at a Grand Slam, Alcaraz advanced to the second round where he will face Botic van de Zandschulp, who defeated Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 in the previous round. The winner of this match will take on either Facundo Diaz Acosta or 25th seed Jack Draper in the third round.
Check out Alcaraz's outfit here:
In a post-match on-court interview with Nick Kyrgios, Alcaraz discussed his decision to opt for the sleeveless look for the New York Major.
"I love playing sleeveless," he said. "In some tournaments, I want to play with sleeveless shirts probably to put fear into the opponents."
Alcaraz's outfit is perfectly suited to the New York weather and his style of play, offering him the freedom and flexibility needed for quick, agile movements on the court.
Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka was another standout on Day 2 of the US Open with her 6-3, 6-2 victory over 10th-seeded Jelena Ostapenko. This victory marked her first win at Flushing Meadows in three years and her first win against a top-10 player in four years.
Osaka’s custom Nike outfit, designed in collaboration with fashion designer Yoon Ahn, drew inspiration from Harajuku fashion. She said (via The New York Times):
"The inspiration for me was definitely Japanese, like Harajuku. I remember one of the first times I went to Japan, I saw so many frills and so many bows."
Osaka's green kit featured a small bow on her ruffled and tiered skirt, a white waistband, and mini bows attached behind her shoes.
"I really like the color green. I feel like it gives me peace and serenity. I think colors give you power. In a way, it’s a little intimidating to my opponent. Especially with this outfit. It’s so big, maybe it’ll create a bigger presence," she added.
Osaka's outfit not only highlighted her creativity but also paid tribute to her Japanese heritage with a stylish flair. She will take on former World No. 8 Karolina Muchova in the second round. The winner of this match will face either home favorite Varvara Lepchenko or Anastasia Potapova in the third round.
Iga Swiatek
Top seed Iga Swiatek wore a striking gradient design in pink, blue, and white from her new On kit. Her sleeveless top paired with a pleated-front skirt was both stylish and practical, helping her secure a 6-4, 7-6(6) win over lucky loser Kamilla Rakhimova.
By opting for a familiar silhouette once again, Swiatek’s outfit lacked fresh appeal, as she has been seen sporting similar gradient designs on multiple occasions.
The Paris Olympics bronze medalist advanced to the second round where she will take on Ena Shibahara, who defeated Daria Saville 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(6) in the New York opener. The winner of this match will face either Elisabetta Cocciaretto or 25th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the third round.
Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina also impressed with her latest Yonex collection, featuring a tank and skirt with silhouettes in pink, light blue, and indigo marine. Her outfit with Yonex Power Cushion Eclipsion 5 shoes complemented her 6-1, 7-6(1) victory over Destanee Aiava, who was making her US Open main draw debut.
Given Rybakina's status as a Grand Slam champion, it’s surprising that Yonex didn’t make a stronger effort to give her a distinct look. Instead, the choice of colors created a sensory overload, making the design feel cluttered rather than impactful.
Fourth seed Rybakina advanced to the second round for the fourth time, where she will take on World No. 143 Jessika Ponchet. The winner will face two-time finalist Caroline Wozniacki or Renata Zarazua in the third round.
Hubert Hurkacz
Hubert Hurkacz rounded off the day with a 6-3, 7-6(4), 7-6(3) win over Kazakh qualifier Timofey Skatov, wearing a Yonex kit in indigo marine, light blue, and pink. The Pole's outfit included a T-shirt with sporty silhouettes, pink shorts, socks, and black tights with Yonex Power Cushion Eclipsion 5 shoes. He also made a rather quirky decision to wear his pink socks over his black tights.
Check out the picture here:
Hubert's outfit choice seems ill-suited for the New York heat, with excessive layering that could hinder his movement. The over-dressing might not only cause discomfort but also restrict his agility on the court.
Hurkacz’s win sets him up for a second-round match against Australian Jordan Thompson. The winner of this match will take on either Roman Safiullin or 30th seed Matteo Arnaldi in the third round.
Who is Naomi Osaka's boyfriend? All you need to know about the tennis star's dating history timeline