Tennis fans recently reacted to Aryna Sabalenka’s statement about her sponsorship with Nike, which contrasted sharply with the experiences of Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka.
Sabalenka announced that she will not have custom kits from Nike for the 2026 season, and the fans noted that this was quite different from Gauff and Osaka, who both receive custom kits from New Balance and Nike, respectively.
Fans React to Aryna Sabalenka Not Getting Custom Kits From Nike for 2026 Season
Sabalenka has been associated with Nike for over eight years, having joined the company in 2017. She debuted her first Grand Slam Nike kit at the 2017 Wimbledon Championships while making her first Major main draw debut.
Sabalenka most recently concluded her season after participating in the 2025 WTA Finals. In a press conference in Riyadh, she revealed that Nike would not be providing her with custom kits for the 2026 season.
The World No. 1 humorously suggested that fans should message the American sports apparel company on social media to put some “pressure” on them for custom kits.
“Yeah, unfortunately, next season it’s not gonna be that special for me. Maybe we should start messaging Nike on Instagram and like start putting some pressure on. Let’s wait for 2027 because that year it’s gonna be sick!” Sabalenka said.
Surely Nike is joking?!?
Sabalenka says her Nike kits in 2026 won’t be special for her…No customs…She will have to wait for 2027???? She jokes saying ” let’s start sending some messages to Nike to put some pressure” 😭😭😭😭 @Nike please. pic.twitter.com/qYNMaoDyHJ
— Liviefromparis 🇫🇷🤸🏼♀️🎾 (@Livieparis2024) November 11, 2025
The four-time Grand Slam champion’s announcement drew a variety of reactions from tennis fans, who took to social media to share their thoughts. One fan expressed disbelief at how Nike was treating the women’s World No. 1 player, calling it “crazy.”
“treating the women’s world no1 like this is crazy stuff,” a fan posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
treating the women’s world no1 like this is crazy stuff https://t.co/l4upemJSm3
— rosé 3x grammy nominee. (@prsmeg) November 11, 2025
Another fan pointed out that Nike seemed to take their top players less seriously now compared to the past, when stars like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova received custom kits. They mentioned that currently, only Osaka is getting custom kits from Nike.
“They don’t take their top players seriously. Fed, Serena, Maria, Rafa all had special kits. She needs to start speaking up for herself. Only Naomi gets custom kits,” a fan wrote.
They don’t take their top players seriously. Fed, Serena, Maria,Rafa all had special kits. She needs to start speaking up for herself. Only Naomi gets custom kits https://t.co/egAkfj1jo9
— nosizwe (@nosizwephogole) November 11, 2025
One fan expressed that they were “grateful” that Gauff chose to sign with New Balance, which outbid Nike to sponsor her when she was a junior player.
“makes me so grateful that Coco went with New Balance, they actually outbid Nike when she was a junior player…..the lore is actually kinda crazy,” a fan posted.
makes me so grateful that Coco went with New Balance, they actually outbid Nike when she was a junior player…..the lore is actually kinda crazy https://t.co/UzoKxlChiA pic.twitter.com/pj02JCeJ9O
— 🌳 (@redseapeach) November 11, 2025
“I low-key don’t understand like…Aryna is THE reigning USO champ, finishing World Number 1 two years in a row and they don’t have ANY customs for her next season????? HOW????!!!!!!” a fan wrote.
At the 2025 WTA Finals, Sabalenka was the top seed and defeated Jasmine Paolini, Jessica Pegula, Gauff, and Amanda Anisimova to reach the final. She finished as the runner-up after losing to Elena Rybakina in the championship match.
AloJapan.com