• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 7, 2025

American Tennis Stars Fritz, Tiafoe, and Pegula Chase US Open Glory

  • There will be an American in the US Open Final in both men’s and women’s tennis.
  • US Open viewership balloons whenever an American makes a deep run.
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic have controlled men’s tennis for the past two decades and, in the process, have haunted the once-great American tennis pipeline. The last American man to win a Grand Slam was Andy Roddick in the 2003 US Open, and the Big Three are largely to blame for the drought.

But, for differing reasons, America’s ghosts are not hovering over Arthur Ashe Stadium this weekend—and neither is Carlos Alcaraz, the closest Big Three disciple—and the U.S. will have the chance to defend its home slam.

The winner of Friday’s semifinal between Taylor Fritz (above) and Frances Tiafoe will determine which of the two Americans will play in Sunday’s final. It’s the first time since 2009 that an American male will make a Grand Slam final, and the first since 2006 that one will be in the US Open championship.

American women have had more success than the men this century, mostly because of Serena Williams, but in part because of other US Open breakthroughs like Sloane Stephens in 2017 and Coco Gauff last year.

While Gauff was knocked out in the round of 16 this year, American Jessica Pegula faces World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s women’s final, giving the U.S. women a chance to win their home slam in back-to-back years for the first time since Williams won three in a row from 2012 to 2014.

American Athletes, America’s Attention

Last week, ESPN announced a new 12-year deal with the United States Tennis Association to remain the US Open’s American broadcaster until 2037. While the deal, which is estimated to be worth $170 million annually, has yet to kick in, ESPN can expect to roll into the agreement following a strong 2024 due to the success of the American tennis stars.

Last year, Gauff’s maiden Grand Slam win over Sabalenka averaged 3.4 million viewers on ESPN, the most-watched women’s final since the network began broadcasting the tournament 15 years ago, and up nearly 100% from the year before.

However, it wouldn’t be a shocker if no American wins on either side—Pegula is the underdog against Sabalenka, and either Tiafoe or Fritz will be the underdog if World No. 1 Jannik Sinner advances past Jack Draper—but the odds won’t change fan interest in the match.

In 2022, Tiafoe was a 2-to-1 underdog and ultimately lost against Alcaraz, but the semifinal averaged 3.1 million viewers and was the most-watched men’s match of the tournament, outpacing the final between Alcaraz and Casper Ruud by nearly one million viewers.

However, what could cut into viewership numbers is the looming dispute between ESPN parent company Disney and DirecTV, which has kept subscribers of the No. 3 pay-TV distributor blacked out from ESPN networks for the entire week.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

ESPN Ends Its Wild-Card Coverage With Historic TV Ratings

Wild-card viewership surges 64% to a record in the current format.
Ballers in Philadelphia
exclusive

Backer of SlamBall, Ballers Armed With $150M for New Fund

The fund will offer sports and entertainment companies deals that don’t involve equity.
Cody Campbell

Fox, ABC Reject Ad Accusing Power Conference Commissioners of Greed

Cody Campbell said the ads were pulled after he paid for them.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Bucks

Bucks Reportedly Discussed Giannis Deal With Knicks This Summer

Antetokounmpo’s future will be a major NBA storyline this year.
Caitlin Clark
October 3, 2025

Cathy Engelbert Denies Saying Caitlin Clark Should Be ‘Grateful’ For WNBA

“Obviously I did not make those comments.”
Napheesa Collier
October 5, 2025

WNBA Tensions Heat Up With Canceled Collier–Engelbert Meeting

The commissioner denied Collier’s version of events at a press conference Friday.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Caitlin Clark
exclusive
October 2, 2025

Caitlin Clark Will Not Join Second Season of Unrivaled

The Fever star struggled with several injuries in her second WNBA season.
Caitlin Clark
October 2, 2025

Caitlin Clark Backs Napheesa Collier in Fight With WNBA

Clark had her exit interview on Thursday after an injury-riddled season. 
Kuminga
October 1, 2025

With Kuminga Deal, Steve Kerr Now Warriors’ Biggest Looming Free Agent

Kuminga finally agreed to a new deal with the Warriors on Tuesday. 
LeBron James
September 30, 2025

LeBron, Giannis, Jokić All Weigh In on Contract Situations

James is on an expiring contract with the Lakers.