TV Ratings: U-S Open Victory Breaks Record For ESPN

The U.S. Open’s opening night Monday featured a packed center court match that could have been the last in the legendary career of Serena Williams.

Deadline.com reports ESPN averaged first-day record of 1.7 million viewers for PrimeTime at the U.S. Open (7 p.m. – 12:03 a.m. ET) on Monday, an increase of 279% over last year and up 40% over the previous high in 2019.

After a shaky start, 23-time grand slam title winner Williams found her old form and defeated Danka Kovinic of Montenegro 6-3, 6-3.

The match averaged 2.7 million viewers glued to the drama for the 1:45 match. The audience peaked at 3.2 million in the last quarter-hour (9–9:15 p.m. ET), which saw Williams take the match and then receive a tribute from the 24,000 present.

Tennis’ final Major tournament of the year is expected to be the 40-year-old’s likely farewell U.S. Open appearance. She first played at Flushing Meadows in 1998 and won the tournament a record six times (tied with Chrissie Evert).