Friday, August 7, 2026

Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic Make History At Record-Breaking U.S. Open

  • Early momentum at the gate extends through whole tournament.
  • Historic turnout arrives despite unseasonably warm weather.
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The 2023 U.S. Open concluded with another record-level attendance total, further solidifying the tournament as tennis’ most lucrative major and one of the foremost sports events.

The tournament finished with a main draw total of 799,402, up 3% from last year’s 776,120. The event concluded with Coco Gauff’s victory Saturday in the women’s singles final and Novak Djokovic’s title win Sunday in men’s singles.

The new attendance record became largely inevitable very early in the tournament, as three single-day records were set in the tournament’s first four days. After that, fan interest remained high and, even as unseasonably hot and humid weather in the New York area impacted nearly all of the two weeks of play, more individual records were established.

The U.S. Open is also specifically designed to boost tennis’ accessibility to mass audiences, with a 23,771-seat Arthur Ashe Stadium, the sport’s largest facility in the world, and notoriously long-running night sessions.

All 25 sessions at the stadium sold out for the second year in a row, while both the men’s (28,804) and women’s (28,143) championship matches were the most-attended in U.S. Open history.

With the additional attendance from Fan Week that preceded the main draw, the overall U.S. Open event drew 957,387, up by nearly 8% from a year ago and marking the first Grand Slam to exceed 950,000 spectators over three weeks. 

This year’s U.S. Open featured a $65 million prize pool that is the largest of tennis’ four majors, and Gauff and Djokovic each earned $3 million for their titles. 

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Aug 5, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Coco Gauff (USA) hits a ball to Kayla Day (not pictured) during round two play of the National Bank Open at Sobeys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Top WTA Stars Weigh In on Tour’s New Genetic Sex Testing Policy

Most top players appear to have little issue with the tour’s decision.
Jul 12, 2026; London, United Kingdom; Jannik Sinner (ITA) serves against Alexander Zverev (GER) (not pictured) in the gentlemen's singles final of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Star Withdrawals Test the Value of Tennis’s Masters Events

The Canadian Open is missing tennis’s biggest stars once again.
Aug 31, 2023; Flushing, NY, USA; John Isner of the United States is interviewed on court after his second round match against Michael Mmoh of the United States on day four of the 2023 U.S. Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Former Tennis Pro on Influencers at Big Events: ‘Done a Lot for the Sport’

John Isner says there’s upside to content creators’ presence at Grand Slams.

John Isner Backs Tennis Players’ Push for More Pay

Stars conducted a 15-minute media boycott at the French Open.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

8/6/26 – LIV’s Funding Promise, Disney Sells Out Super Bowl, Inside Tom Brady’s CardVault

0:00

Featured Today

Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
August 6, 2026

Tom Brady Explains His Aggressive Push Into Trading Cards

Brady talked to FOS about his eponymous card company.
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action
August 5, 2026

India Is Stealing Cricket’s Throne From England and Australia

India’s insatiable appetite for cricket has shifted the traditional locus of power.
WPBL
July 30, 2026

Who’s Playing Women’s Professional Baseball?

Sixty players from 11 countries are descending on Illinois for six weeks.
Tom's Watch Bar
July 17, 2026

Sports Bars Are Cashing In From Summer of Soccer

The World Cup has brought a windfall to America’s biggest sports bars.
Aug 6, 2026; Camden, NJ, USA; From left to right Philadelphia 76ers general manager Mike Gansey and guard Jaylen Brown and managing partner Josh Harris pose for a photo during his introductory press conference at the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Mike Gansey: Sixers Players Led LeBron Recruitment

Gansey’s own relationship with James dates back to high school.
August 6, 2026

Anthony Rizzo: MLB Doesn’t Have Competitive Balance Problem

The former MLB star talked labor, sports betting, and his own broadcasting.
Aug 6, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; Bryson DeChambeau points right after his tee shot on the first tee during the first round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.
August 6, 2026

7 Burning Questions for LIV Golf Amid Claim of New Funding

Private equity firm BC Partners is reportedly exploring a deal with LIV.
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
Golf - LIV Golf - United Kingdom - JCB Golf and Country Club, Uttoxeter, Britain - July 24, 2026 Crushers GC's Bryson DeChambeau in action as he hits a tee shot on the fourth hole during the second round
August 6, 2026

Bryson DeChambeau’s Agency Denies Role in LIV Rescue Deal

BC Partners is reportedly exploring a deal with LIV.
National Women’s Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman announces Columbus as the league's 18th club at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on April 21, 2026. The club, set to begin play in 2028, will be owned by Haslam Sports Group (HSG), Nationwide and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards.
August 5, 2026

NWSL Makes Super Bowl Week Part of Its 2027 Kickoff

The NWSL wants to be “woven into” ESPN’s first Super Bowl.
August 5, 2026

LIV Golf Says New Lead Investor Signed, but Big Questions Remain

LIV had been seeking to raise as much as $350 million.
August 4, 2026

Why WNBA’s New Cleveland Sirens Won’t Face a Trademark Fight

The Sirens will make their WNBA debut in 2028.