The US Open men's final, which saw Alexander Zverev emerge as champion against American challenger Ben Shelton, has set a new viewership benchmark. The broadcast on ABC drew an average of 3.2 million viewers, representing the largest audience for the tournament's concluding men's match since ESPN’s family of networks took over broadcasting rights in 2009.
This record-setting performance highlights a significant surge in interest for the tournament, which saw strong engagement across its final stages. The women's championship, where Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka, also saw a notable increase in popularity, averaging 2.7 million viewers. This figure represents a 13 percent rise compared to the previous year's women's final.
Broadcasting Success and Late-Night Viewership
The tournament's overall coverage on ESPN averaged 1.2 million viewers, the highest audience figures recorded since 2022. The quarterfinals also performed well, pulling in an average of 1.3 million viewers. Among the most notable moments for television audiences was the late-night clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton, which stands as the latest-finishing match in the history of the US Open.
Despite the extreme hour, the Alcaraz-Shelton match maintained a strong following, averaging 1.6 million viewers throughout the broadcast. Remarkably, 967,000 viewers remained tuned in during the final moments of the contest, which concluded between 3:30 a.m. and 3:40 a.m. EDT.
Strong Performance in Semifinals
The semifinal stage also contributed to the tournament's high ratings, particularly the match featuring Americans Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton. That encounter drew an average of 3.1 million viewers, establishing itself as the most-watched men's semifinal match since ESPN began its current coverage cycle. These figures underscore a period of high engagement for the sport, with both the final stages and specific high-profile matchups drawing substantial television audiences.
