"Got the same Slams as Naomi Osaka";"Grateful Coco Gauff went with New Balance": Aryna Sabalenka fans blast Nike for denying World No. 1 custom kits

Aryna Sabalenka's recent revelation about her partnership with Nike has sparked controversy among tennis fans. Sabalenka's supporters were infuriated by the brand's reluctance to provide the World No. 1 with custom kits at important tournaments.

While speaking to the press during the recently concluded WTA Finals in Riyadh, Sabalenka revealed that she wouldn't be receiving any custom outfits from Nike during the 2026 season. The Belarusian also jokingly urged her fans to put some pressure on her apparel sponsor before disclosing that they would have to wait until 2027 to see her in special kits.

"Unfortunately, next season, it's not gonna be that special for me," Aryna Sabalenka said. "Maybe we should just start messaging Nike Instagram and putting some pressure on. Let's wait for 2027 because that year is going to be sick."

Aryna Sabalenka's fans did not take kindly to the news, as they furiously questioned why the World No. 1 was snubbed while fellow Nike star Naomi Osaka received custom kits for every Grand Slam event. On the other hand, one fan was relieved that Coco Gauff had made the decision to sign with New Balance over Nike.

"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," one fan posted.

"I low-key don't understand what does she have to do ???? She got tye same number of slams has Osaka....yet Osaka her customs even for random masters 1000 why 😭😭😭😭," another fan chimed in.

"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.

"Do you think it’s to do with being Belarusian 🇧🇾?," another fan questioned.

Other fans urged the four-time Grand Slam champion to cut ties with Nike and find a new apparel sponsor, suggesting that she should join forces with Novak Djokovic's sponsor Lacoste or follow Jack Draper to Vuori.

"Djokovic needs to hook her with Lacoste atp," one fan commented.

"Pressure? just sign elsewhere if they don’t value you that much 😭✌🏾," another fan wrote.

"Even rybakina getting customs under Yonex. Sabalenka should change her sponsor maybe Adidas," a fan suggested.

"YOOOO PARDON?!?! Aryna go with Jack to Vuori and get some customs xxxx," said yet another.

Aryna Sabalenka was most recently in action at the WTA Finals, but she fell short of winning her maiden title at the prestigious event after suffering a 6-3, 7-6(0) loss to Elena Rybakina in the final.

Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka end their 2025 seasons with heartfelt messages

Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka - Source: Getty

Aryna Sabalenka ended her 2025 season as the World No. 1 for the second year in a row after clinching her fourth Grand Slam title at the US Open. However, having fallen short in two Major finals, the Belarusian acknowledged that it was a "tough year" in a heartfelt message on Instagram.

"And that’s a wrap on the 2025 season! This was a tough year, but incredibly rewarding. A Grand Slam title, World #1 for the second consecutive year 🤯, and a few trophies later… I couldn’t have done it without Team Tiger — the people that are by my side time and time again. I’ve learned so many lessons this year through the ups and the downs of every single tournament and the training in between. Beyond blessed and grateful for it all. ♥️ 2026 season — bring it on 💪🏼," she captioned her Instagram post.

Naomi Osaka also capped off her season by expressing her gratitude, reflecting on how thankful she felt for the opportunity to travel the globe with her daughter and be healthy enough to chase her tennis dreams.

"I'm also thankful for being relatively injury free this year (haha I just thought about it and I was injured at the beginning and end of the season Imaooo), anyways I'm thankful for my health an being able to wake up each day ready to chase my dreams. I'm also grateful for being able to travel and see the world with my daughter. I'm so honored that I have such amazing people that support me," Osaka wrote on Instagram.

Like Aryna Sabalenka and Osaka, Coco Gauff also penned an emotional message to signal the end of her season and received a "proud" message from her boyfriend Jalen Sera in return.