Thursday, June 4, 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

Chwalińska Makes French Open Final, Nearly Triples Career Earnings

Chwalińska was ranked No. 114 before the French Open began.
Jun 3, 2026; Paris, France; Maja Chwalinska of Poland tosses the ball to serve during her match against Anna Kalinskaya on day 10 at Stade Roland Garros.

French Open’s Cinderella Runs May Not Play in Wimbledon

Wimbledon finalizes its entries in mid-May, before the French Open ends.

Russia–Ukraine War Takes Center Stage at French Open

Aryna Sabalenka lost to Russian Diana Shnaider in the quarterfinals Wednesday.
Serena Williams with her daughter Olympia, left, cheers for the Los Angeles Golf Club who won the TGL finals against Jupiter Links GC at SoFi Center on March 24, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Serena Williams Confirms Tennis Comeback With Doubles Wild Card

The 23-time Grand Slam winner will play at the Queen’s Club Championship.

Featured Today

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Germany v Luxembourg - Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany - October 10, 2025 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann

‘Weird Corners of the World’: How to Find a World Cup Coach

National associations look for a winning record—and also hope for serendipity.
June 3, 2026

The Elite High Schools Hosting World Cup Teams

Spain, Morocco, Croatia, and Switzerland chose schools as their tournament base camps.
Frances Cabral-Delaney
May 29, 2026

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.
May 23, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Fans participate in a tarp off during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium
May 28, 2026

‘Tarps Off’: How Shirtless Fans Took Over MLB

The viral movement began with the SFA club baseball team.

MLB’s Long-Stalled Stadium Plans—Rays and A’s—Show Progress

The A’s and Rays both are drawing closer to getting new ballparks.
SEA at VAN - Nov. 21, 20251
June 4, 2026

Will the PWHL’s Aggressive Expansion Succeed?

The league added four teams ahead of the 2026–27 season.
Mar 30, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell arrives during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore.
June 4, 2026

NFL Defends TV Deals As Goodell Declines to Testify Before Congress

The league continues to tout its commitment to broadcast television.
Sponsored

Landon Donovan: What Soccer in America Still Needs

Landon Donovan discusses the evolution of soccer in America and investing in the NWSL.
June 3, 2026

Adam Silver: NBA Europe ‘On Track’ to Launch Next Year

The commissioner also commented on the Aspiration investigation.
June 3, 2026

MLB Owners Hold Firm On Salary Cap, Cite ‘Failure’ With Luxury Tax

Rising willingness by teams to pay the tax prompts a new approach.
June 3, 2026

WNBA Player Drops Out of Project B to Play in Turkey

Project B also signed another French player: Leïla Lacan.
June 3, 2026

U.S. Women’s Open Becomes the Richest Event in Women’s Golf—Again

The prize money sets a new record for a single women’s golf tournament.