Outfit of the Day: Jessica Pegula wasn't "wowed" by US Open cutout dress at first

NEW YORK—Jessica Pegula wasn’t exactly ‘wowed’ by Adidas’ new Pro WOW Dress when she first saw it, the American revealed after her US Open victory on Saturday.

Her eye-catching blue, black and white tennis dress with its distinctive long sleeves and underarm cutouts has been turning heads in Queens, and dividing fans in tennis and fashion circles online.

Read More: Broadway Blues: Adidas launches FW24 New York Collection for the US Open

When Adidas had the Buffalo native try it on, her initial reaction was an extremely relatable one:

“Yeah, I wasn't the biggest fan, to be honest, when I first wore it earlier this year at Indian Wells,” Pegula told Baseline, saking to press after her third-round win over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

“They showed it to me, and I was, like, ‘Oh, tough, I don't know.'"

The dress in question is a standout piece from Adidas’ 2024 New York Collection, which made its debut at the season’s last Grand Slam. With Flushing Meadows known to hit high temperatures during late summer, the collection aims to promote body temperature management while maximizing range of motion.

Pegula is one of several Adidas players including Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sakkari, Daria Kasatkina, Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas who have been rocking the new collection, with Elina Svitolina also being spotted in the WOW Dress.

In a cobalt blue colorway inspired by the tournament’s hard courts, the Pro WOW Dress ($210) features long sleeves with underarm cutouts and strategic color blocks, contrast-colored pleats along the skirt, and a mesh opening in the back for ventilation.

“It grew on me a lot,” Pegula said. “Obviously, they were going for more of a statement with that.”

To create the designs for the New York Collection, Adidas used motion-capture technology to analyze a player’s body in motion over time and calculate which areas produce the most heat. This data informed the placement of materials and cut-outs in high-movement areas—such as around the shoulders and under the arm.

Pegula says that although she found the outfit’s unique silhouette a bit odd at first, after a few rounds at the US Open she’s been won over. The dress is “super lightweight” and according to the American, she was able to feel the effects of the strategic color-blocking during her matches.

“I know that it somehow helped with air flow and heat based on the black and white on the sleeves and the shoulders… as well, I think, to block the sun off your shoulders,” she explained.

“People were, like, ‘Wouldn't that be more hot?’ It was actually super light and super breathable, so I thought it was pretty cool.”

WATCH: Breaking down Jessica Pegula's US Open third-round win over Sofia Kenin | TC LIVE

We’ll take Pegula’s word for it, as the American No. 2 has definitely looked calm and cool on court at the US Open. The Toronto champion and Cincinnati finalist charged into the fourth round without dropping a set, recording victories over Shelby Rogers, Sofia Kenin and Bouzas Maneiro.

Read More: Jessica Pegula and Sofia Kenin, a tortoise and a hare at the US Open

Up next for Pegula, the No. 3 seed will face Diana Shnaider—a player also known for her own unique on-court style—on Monday for a place in the quarterfinals.