"What on earth was the dress code?";"Aghast at Aryna Sabalenka's footwear" - Fans react to China Open players' party ft. Jessica Pegula, Paula Badosa
Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Paula Badosa, and other WTA stars recently made a splash with their stylish outfits at the 2024 China Open players' party. With players showcasing their unique fashion sense on the red carpet, fans have weighed in with their opinions on the ensembles.
Although defending champion Iga Swiatek pulled out of the WTA 1000 event in Beijing, several of the top WTA stars lit up the China Open players' party with their chic looks. While Sabalenka and Pegula both opted for classic black dresses, Zheng Qinwen dazzled in a striking feathery white blazer paired with metallic silver shorts.
Marta Kostyuk looked elegant in a silky royal blue gown, while Badosa and Jasmine Paolini opted for a more casual vibe, donning pants. Barbora Krejcikova, Katerina Siniakova, Dayana Yastremska, and Wang Xiyu also graced the players' party, turning heads on the red carpet.
Aryna Sabalenka's decision to wear white loafers paired with matching socks drew "aghast" reactions from fans, with one of them even deeming it an "actual crime."
"I’m crying, Sabalenka! love her outfit but white loafers with high socks is an actual crime," one fan commented.
"Saba usually kills it fashion-wise (her shoot after winning USO was stunning) so I was actually aghast at her footwear for this. What in the fresh HELL? ðŸ˜" another fan chimed in.
"Pls don't kill me but whose idea was to put those loafers on Saba? With the white socks on top of that???" a fan shared.
On the other hand, Jessica Pegula and Marta Kostyuk stood out with their chic attire, earning glowing praise for their "amazing" looks.
"Kostyuk always shows out in these - what a dress! They all look amazing but JPeg really looks so pretty in these!" one fan posted.
"Pegula always looks so fresh and stylish off the court, and then turns up to play in those Adidas kits that do nobody any favors at all. 🫠," another fan wrote.
"Marta’s wardrobe must be stocked with quality. Just to show off exclusively for these events," a fan remarked.
"Most of these players look atrocious, Aryna Sabalenka specially. Jess showed the lessers how is done. She looks amazing. Also the blue looks great on Kostyuk," said another.
Others, meanwhile, were confused by the diverse fashion choices on display, playfully poking fun at Jasmine Paolini's "office" attire and Paula Badosa's casual look, while questioning if there was any dress code in place at all.
"What on earth was the dress code?" one fan commented.
"I so confused, jasmine looks like she's about to clock in at the office lol," a fan remarked.
"Paula showing up with her hair unbrushed and a plushie lmaooo she's my goat," said another.
Aryna Sabalenka to face qualifier in China Open 2R; Jessica Pegula and Paula Badosa drawn in same quarter
Following a first-round bye, top seed Aryna Sabalenka will face the winner of the match between qualifiers Mananchaya Sawangkaew and Zarina Diyas in the second round. The Belarusian is aiming to extend her winning streak after her Cincinnati Open and US Open triumphs, as she looks to close the gap to Iga Swiatek in the battle for year-end World No. 1.
Second seed Jessica Pegula will kick off her campaign against Diane Parry in their first tour-level encounter. Meanwhile, 15th seed Paula Badosa will battle it out against Viktoriya Tomova for a place in the third round of the WTA 1000 event.
Pegula and Badosa feature in the same quarter of the draw and could set up a blockbuster clash in the fourth round. If the American reaches the final in Beijing, she could set the stage for a rematch of the 2024 US Open final against Aryna Sabalenka, provided the World No. 2 extends her unbeaten streak.