On the opening day of this year’s US Open, Alexandra Eala fought back from 5-1 down in the third set to defeat Clara Tauson before an enthusiastic crowd, Novak Djokovic outlasted a much younger opponent with tactical brilliance, Rebeka Masarova struck an overhead shot directly into the only spot on the court that would cost her the point, and Daniil Medvedev nearly stirred chaos in Louis Armstrong Stadium while facing match point.
Among the flurry of gripping matches, the US Open quietly released the first episode of *Game, Set, Matchmaker* on its official YouTube channel. The video featured host Ilana Sedaka, a figure skater and social media personality, on a blind date with Ronnie, a lacrosse coach. They shared smiles and discussed their music preferences, bonding over a mutual appreciation for Drake—what were the chances? Though the date took place on the tournament grounds, with players practicing in the distance, tennis was barely mentioned. Ronnie, attending his first US Open, remarked, “This place is unreal.”
Midway through, Sedaka asked, “Are you a tennis fan?” Ronnie replied, “I only started watching last year.” By the end, she offered him a ticket to the event for a second date. Ironically, despite the apparent aim of sparking interest in tennis, the video cut off as they walked into the venue. The next episode, featuring an endearingly awkward date between content creator Emma and trainer Natalie, included no tennis discussion but instead brief talk about the NFL.
This raised the question of why the US Open had produced the series. A spokesperson for the United States Tennis Association told *CuriosityNews* that the goal was to “engage a new audience, blending tennis with pop culture and entertainment.” Yet tennis was largely missing from the first two episodes, present only as a setting. The videos garnered modest views, far fewer than match highlights on the same channel. It seemed viewers visiting the US Open’s platform were there for the tennis.
It’s unlikely anyone would develop a passion for tennis based on these episodes, and the rollout didn’t help. The release schedule was unclear, and shortly before the premiere, the format shifted from a *Bachelorette*-style show—where Sedaka would meet different suitors—to focusing on eight separate first dates. (Perhaps Ronnie made a lasting impression?) But fans questioned the series’ relevance to a tennis event. The 2024 US Open broke attendance records, surpassing one million spectators, while tennis participation in the US is rising. The prize pool at this year’s tournament reached historic heights.
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