The 2025 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, proved to be a dazzling spectacle of tennis excellence and celebrity glamour, drawing a constellation of stars from both the sports and entertainment worlds. Over the weekend of September 6 and 7, the finals of the year’s last Grand Slam event brought an electric atmosphere to Arthur Ashe Stadium, as fans and celebrities alike gathered under rainy New York skies to witness history in the making.
Saturday’s women’s singles final was a hot ticket, featuring Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova battling for the coveted title. Among the crowd, actress Naomi Watts stood out on the blue carpet, turning heads in a white halterneck dress paired with a Panama hat and oval-shaped sunglasses. Watts, a self-proclaimed fashion enthusiast, completed her look with a Ralph Lauren Collection cotton bucket bag, embodying the effortless New York chic that’s become synonymous with the U.S. Open. Seated alongside Chelsea Handler and Retta, Watts was no stranger to the event, marking her third appearance at the Open in recent years—having cheered for Coco Gauff’s victory over Sabalenka in 2023 and waving the Australian flag during the men’s quarterfinals in 2022.
Watts’s presence was just one highlight in a star-studded weekend. Jessica Alba, Leslie Bibb, Walton Goggins, Adrien Brody, Wayne Gretzky, and country music star Kelsea Ballerini were among the many celebrities soaking up the action on Saturday. The blue carpet shimmered with star power, as Hollywood’s elite mingled with sports legends and music icons, all eager to catch a glimpse of tennis’s brightest stars.
The celebrity turnout only intensified on Sunday, as the men’s singles final between Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz drew a who’s who of the entertainment industry. Bruce Springsteen, Kevin Hart, Danny DeVito, Pink, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Courteney Cox, Sam Rockwell, Usher, Michael Douglas, David Duchovny, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, and more filled the stands. NBA superstar Steph Curry and social media sensation Jake Paul added to the eclectic mix, underscoring the U.S. Open’s reputation as a premier cultural event as much as a sporting one. Even the legendary Wayne Gretzky was spotted courtside, lending a touch of hockey royalty to the proceedings.
Inside the stadium, the matches themselves didn’t disappoint. In women’s singles, Amanda Anisimova managed to outlast Naomi Osaka in a hard-fought semifinal, prevailing two sets to one and earning her spot in the final against Sabalenka. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion who’s no stranger to the big stage, reflected on her impressive run with characteristic humility, while fans lamented her narrow miss at another major final.
The women’s doubles tournament delivered its own share of drama and emotion. American Taylor Townsend, partnered with Katerina Siniakova, advanced to the final without dropping a set, setting up a highly anticipated clash against Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe. Despite their momentum—and having already secured the 2024 Wimbledon and 2025 Australian Open women’s doubles titles—Townsend and Siniakova fell just short, losing 6-4, 6-4 in a tense contest on Friday, September 5.
Townsend, ever gracious in defeat, described the 2025 U.S. Open as a transformative experience. "This has been a huge, monumental tournament for me. It’s really changed my life, and no matter the result, I feel like I’ve already won," she shared, speaking candidly about her journey. "I think the biggest thing that has changed for me is just being able to truly show up as myself publicly and for people to be able to receive that as it is. Not feeling like I have to hide or be something that I’m not, and really just living in my truth. It’s very liberating and freeing. For me, it’s been fun."
The doubles final wasn’t the only source of headlines for Townsend. Earlier in the tournament, she faced controversy during her second-round singles victory over Jelena Ostapenko. After Townsend won 7-5, 6-1, Ostapenko accused her of lacking sportsmanship for not apologizing after a fortunate net cord. The post-match comments sparked debate, with Ostapenko labeling Townsend as having "no class" and "no education." Ostapenko later issued an apology, but the incident drew widespread attention, especially after Naomi Osaka weighed in.
Osaka didn’t mince words in her defense of Townsend. "I think obviously it’s one of the worst things you can say to a black tennis player in a majority white sport," Osaka said, highlighting the broader context of race and respect in tennis. "I know Taylor and I know how hard she’s worked and I know how smart she is, so she’s the furthest thing from uneducated or anything like that. If you’re genuinely asking me about the history of Ostapenko, I don’t think that’s the craziest thing she’s said. I’m going to be honest. I think it’s ill-timing and the worst person you could have ever said it to. And I don’t know if she knows the history of it in America. But I know she’s never going to say that ever again in her life. It was just terrible." Osaka’s remarks resonated with many in the tennis community, sparking important conversations about sportsmanship, race, and accountability at the highest levels of the game.
Despite the controversy, Townsend’s performance and resilience earned her admiration from fellow players and fans alike. Osaka herself, reflecting on Townsend’s growing collection of trophies, joked on social media, "Your hardware collection grows every tournament, it’s sickening," accompanied by a flurry of positive and proud emojis. The camaraderie among top players was evident, even as the competition intensified on the court.
Back outside the lines, the U.S. Open’s blue carpet became a parade of fashion statements and memorable moments. Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, and music icons like Sting and Shaggy all made appearances, while Common and Lola Tung were spotted in the Moet & Chandon clubhouse suite. The event’s unique blend of high-stakes tennis and celebrity culture only added to its allure, making the 2025 tournament one for the ages.
As the final matches unfolded, the buzz inside Arthur Ashe Stadium was palpable. Rain may have dampened the city streets, but it couldn’t put a damper on the excitement or the sense of occasion. With legends on the court and luminaries in the stands, the 2025 U.S. Open delivered a Grand Slam experience that will be talked about for years to come. Whether you were there for the tennis, the stars, or simply the spectacle, this year’s tournament was a celebration of sport, resilience, and community at its very best.
