A surprise fashion moment stole early attention at French Open 2026, as Oksana Selekhmeteva stepped onto the court in Nike's new Summer Slam Dress from the Paris collection-an outfit many believed was reserved exclusively for world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
The eye-catching design, inspired by ballet-like flow and movement, immediately stood out on Day 1 of the French Open.
The twist came from the fact that Sabalenka herself is yet to feature in the tournament, despite her Nike kit already being one of the most talked-about looks of the season after its reveal on social media. Fans had initially assumed the two-toned red-and-black dress would be a signature piece solely for the top seed in Paris, especially given the buzz around it. However, Selekhmeteva ended up making the unexpected on-court debut of the outfit in her opening-round clash against Marta Kostyuk, turning a planned style spotlight into a surprise reveal moment.
Why Was Oksana Selekhmeteva Wearing Aryna Sabalenka's Nike Dress at Roland Garros 2026?
The unexpected kit switch quickly caught fire on X, with fans reacting strongly to Selekhmeteva wearing a design many believed was meant exclusively for Aryna Sabalenka. Social media was filled with confusion and frustration, with one user writing, "Nike has to stop making Aryna dirty like that…", while another questioned the decision outright: "Why did they give Sabalenka's 'custom' kit to Oksana Selekhmeteva????"
What Happened During Oksana Selekhmeteva's Roland Garros 2026 Debut Match?
Oksana Selekhmeteva's Spanish debut at Roland Garros 2026 didn't go her way, as she ran into a confident and in-form Marta Kostyuk in the opening round. Despite showing fight and working hard throughout the match under the guidance of Carla Suárez from her coaching box, the young left-hander struggled to break Kostyuk's rhythm.
Kostyuk proved too strong on the day, controlling the match from start to finish and sealing a straight-sets win, 6-2, 6-3. With that victory, the Ukrainian advanced comfortably and now awaits either Katie Volynets or Clara Burel in the next round, while Selekhmeteva exits after a tough opener in Paris.
Did Nike Accidentally Release Aryna Sabalenka's 'Exclusive' Roland Garros Outfit?
There is no clear evidence that Nike "accidentally released" Aryna Sabalenka's exclusive Roland Garros outfit. Reports suggest Sabalenka's Nike kit was part of the official 2026 French Open collection, though it sparked confusion because Oksana Selekhmeteva was seen wearing a similar dress in competition, creating the impression of an "exclusive" debut happening elsewhere instead.
This isn't even the first time Selekhmeteva has found herself in a similar situation. The Russian player was also at the centre of attention during the 2025 US Open qualifiers, where she unexpectedly ended up debuting another Sabalenka-linked outfit. Once again, what was supposed to be a signature look for a top star ended up making its on-court appearance on someone else entirely, adding another quirky twist to Nike's tennis fashion story.