With Carlos Alcaraz and co., the ATP's long-awaited “changing of the guard” achieved critical mass—for some, not a moment too soon

Officials announced that 776,120 spectators attended Flushing Meadows over the two weeks, 39,000 spectators more than the previous record, set in 2019.

ByKamakshi Tandon

Published Sep 14, 2022

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It was a year of record attendance and surging ratings for the US Open, helped by the interest in Serena Williams as she played her final tournament.

Officials announced that 776,120 spectators attended Flushing Meadows over the two weeks, 39,000 spectators more than the previous record, set in 2019. It followed a 2020 with no fans allowed on the grounds, and lower-than-usual attendance in 2021. Along with qualifying, 888,044 spectators attended during the three weeks of play, 45,000 more than the previous record, set in 2019.

And for the first time, all 23,859 seats in Arthur Ashe Stadium were sold for each day and night session.

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A sold-out Arthur Ashe Stadium was a common sight during this year's US Open.

National TV ratings for ESPN's broadcast were up 50 percent from 2021, and the third-highest since it began broadcasting the tournament in full, in 2015.

The highest numbers were for the third-round Serena Williams vs. Ajla Tomljanovic clash, which had a peak of 6.9 million viewers with an average of 4.2 million viewers—the highest ever for any ESPN tennis broadcast.

Williams's second-round victory over Anett Kontaveit got an average 3.6 million viewers, and her first-round victory an average 2.7 million viewers for a first-night record.

The men's semifinal between eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz and American Frances Tiafoe had an average of 2.9 million viewers.

There were also record sales for concessions on the grounds.