The US Open has experienced a notable resurgence in television interest, recording its strongest viewership figures through the first three rounds since 2022. This spike in engagement has been attributed largely to the return of tennis icons
According to data released by the network on Wednesday, the tournament’s broadcast coverage has seen consistent growth compared to previous years. The increased interest was particularly evident during the sisters' prime-time appearance, which served as a major draw for audiences tuning in to watch the legendary duo.
Record-Breaking Viewership Driven by Williams Duo
The broadcast coverage on Friday, which showcased the Williams sisters in a night match, drew an average of 1.1 million viewers across ESPN and ESPN2. The audience numbers peaked late in the evening, reaching 2.2 million viewers between 10:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. EDT. During this window, the sisters were engaged in a competitive match tiebreaker against Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint, a contest that ultimately saw the Williams pair defeated.
The momentum from Friday’s broadcast carried into the weekend, with Saturday’s coverage on ESPN2 also averaging 1.1 million viewers. This figure represents a 37% increase compared to the same period last year. Friday’s performance alone marked a 17% rise in viewership from the corresponding day in the previous tournament cycle. Overall, the US Open has maintained an average of 846,000 viewers through the third round, marking the highest level of engagement the event has seen since 2022, the year Serena Williams last competed at the tournament.
