Aryna Sabalenka Hits Milan Fashion Week After US Open Final

Aryna Sabalenka is channeling her post-US Open energy into the fashion world and football stands, making a high-profile appearance at Milan Fashion Week just days after a painful Grand Slam final loss. The World No. 2 walked the runway at Vogue World Milano and was a guest of honor at San Siro.

Sabalenka's Milan Fashion Week debut draws fan criticism

Her first major public outing since the US Open was on the catwalk. Sabalenka, the global ambassador for Gucci, wore a brown sequined turtleneck gown for the Vogue World event on September 24. She reportedly received runway coaching from a former partner of footballer Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the show. The event celebrated Italian craftsmanship, but many tennis fans online questioned her priorities. They pointed to her recent on-court struggles and emotional outburst in New York as signs she should be focusing more on her game.

A football distraction after US Open heartbreak

Before her fashion moment, Sabalenka sought solace in sport as a spectator. On September 22, she attended AC Milan's Serie A clash against Lecce at the San Siro. The known Milan supporter was hosted by club president Gerry Cardinale, who gifted her a personalized jersey with her name and the number one. She watched from a box as Milan won 3-0. This appearance came just over a week after her US Open final defeat on September 13, where she lost to Elena Rybakina 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. That loss cost Sabalenka her World No. 1 ranking and meant she finished the 2026 Grand Slam season without a major title.

The on-court context of a difficult season

The frustration from that final was palpable. Sabalenka smashed her racket on her chair after the handshake, an act that drew heavy criticism. It capped a challenging period where her last tournament victory came at the Miami Open back in March. Her two Grand Slam final losses this year both came against Rybakina, including at the Australian Open. The Belarusian now faces the task of regrouping her game and her mindset with the ranking summit now occupied by her rival.

Competitive tennis is now back on the agenda. Sabalenka is scheduled to return to action at the WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing, which runs from September 30 to October 11. It marks the start of the Asian swing and represents a critical opportunity for the four-time major champion to rediscover winning form and mount a challenge to reclaim the top spot.

• Key Takeaways:
• Aryna Sabalenka lost the US Open 2026 final to Elena Rybakina on September 13, surrendering the World No. 1 ranking.
• She attended AC Milan's match on September 22 and walked in Vogue World Milano on September 24.
• Her last tournament win was at the Miami Open in March 2026.
• She is next scheduled to play at the China Open in Beijing, starting September 30.