US Open Men's Final Sets ESPN-Era Viewership Record
The US Open men's final between Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev drew an average of 3.2 million viewers on ABC, the largest audience for the tournament since ESPN started broadcasting in 2009. The women's final between Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka averaged 2.7 million viewers. Combined, the two finals averaged 3.0 million viewers, a nine percent increase from last year.
The men's final peaked at 4.0 million viewers during the 5:30–5:45 p.m. ET window, indicating strong late-match engagement as Zverev closed out his victory over Shelton. This marked the largest audience for the tournament since ESPN assumed broadcast rights in 2009, a significant milestone for the network's tennis coverage.
The women's final also drew substantial numbers, with Rybakina's win over Sabalenka averaging 2.7 million viewers and peaking at 3.2 million. Combined finals viewership rose nine percent year-over-year, and the tournament overall was the most-watched US Open since 2022, averaging 1.2 million viewers across its broadcast windows.
Strong viewership numbers could signal renewed mainstream interest in tennis, potentially benefiting sponsors, broadcast partners, and player visibility. The presence of an American finalist like Shelton may help attract domestic audiences, which could influence how networks schedule and promote future Grand Slam coverage. These ratings may also factor into future media rights negotiations, as demonstrated audience demand often shapes how sports properties are valued and distributed across platforms.