The wrist was fine. The hair was flowing.
Page A5From§Eachthe wee small hours edition — 1 September 2026
Aryna Sabalenka explains US Open outfit drama as Carlos Alcaraz shows off new coif
This reporter has long asserted that the US Open is about athletic prowess, but apparently, coiffure and couture are the new metrics. Aryna Sabalenka explains her outfit drama, while Carlos Alcaraz returns with a fresh hairstyle and healthy wrist. The coverage is less about the scoreline and more about the sideline—fashion statements trump match statistics. TRUDY: Sugar, the receipts don't carry a single set count or a match result, just wardrobe news and hairstyle updates. The old sports desk would call this a distraction, but the new ledger says it’s the main event. The column gap is the absence of tennis in the tennis coverage. The punchline lands on the scoreboard, which is left blank.
“Sports used to be about the scores, now it's about the hair and the wardrobe. The headlines follow the players’ looks while the action on the court is an afterthought. The winner is whoever gets the most likes, not the most points.”
“Look, athletes are celebrities, and the public wants to know how they look and what they wear. This is just part of the game now. Did I say game? Well, maybe it's more of a spectacle, but that's what sells tickets.”
The receipts
Back on the court for the main draw, Sabalenka changed it up from the black and orange look to an all-orange one.
This page is a back-issue: the story as it ran, receipts as they were. The current edition is at the front.