Exciting Matches and Unconventional Dates at the US Open
On the opening day of this year’s US Open, Alexandra Eala staged a remarkable comeback from a 5-1 deficit in the third set to defeat Clara Tauson, thrilling the crowd. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic outsmarted a younger rival, and Daniil Medvedev nearly incited chaos among fans at Louis Armstrong Stadium while down match point. In contrast to the intense matches, the US Open quietly introduced a dating video series titled Game, Set, Matchmaker on their official YouTube channel.
Game, Set, Matchmaker: A New Approach
Hosted by influencer and figure skater Ilana Sedaka, the series features her blind date with Ronnie, a lacrosse coach. The couple shared laughs and music preferences, bonding over their mutual love for Drake. Though the date unfolded on US Open grounds with tennis players practicing nearby, tennis was barely mentioned. Ronnie, experiencing the US Open for the first time, expressed his amazement: “This place is insane.”
Questionable Relevance
Mid-date, Sedaka asked Ronnie if he was a tennis fan. He admitted he had only started following it recently. At the end of the video, she offered him a ticket to the US Open for a second date, yet the episode concluded just as they entered the venue. The following episode, featuring influencer Emma and trainer Natalie, similarly omitted tennis discussions in favor of NFL chatter, raising questions about the series’ intent to engage a tennis audience.
Mixed Reception
Despite the US Open’s goal to attract a new audience intersecting tennis with pop culture, the first two episodes of Game, Set, Matchmaker fell flat, garnering fewer views than match highlights. It seems viewers tuned in primarily for tennis content rather than dating segments. The rollout also faced criticism, with a lack of clear release schedules and a last-minute format change adding to the confusion.
Previous Attempts and Ongoing Challenges
This isn’t the first time tennis organizers have attempted to engage new fans by downplaying the sport itself. The Netflix series Break Point received criticism for underrepresenting tennis action and instead focusing on players’ personal lives. Such approaches, often disregarding actual gameplay, might not endear new viewers to the sport.
Mixed Doubles and Celebrity Pairings
The mixed doubles tournament preceding the US Open also sought to attract audiences through celebrity pairings, such as Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz, emphasizing their off-court chemistry over the competitive nature of doubles. While this garnered attention, it raised concerns about sidelining dedicated doubles players who rely on these tournaments for their careers.
The Future of Tennis Promotion
Ultimately, while tennis is experiencing a resurgence with new stars like Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner capturing attention in finals, the US Open and similar tournaments should showcase the sport’s thrilling moments to draw in audiences organically. If potential viewers aren’t swayed by the genuine excitement of tennis, perhaps the sport doesn’t resonate with them, and that’s acceptable too.
