Andy Roddick Claims US Open Has Surpassed the Super Bowl as America’s Biggest Event

Andy Roddick recently sparked major sports discussions by asserting that the US Open has become a bigger sporting event than the Super Bowl.

Acknowledging that his bold claim would likely face heavy pushback, he stood firmly by the unprecedented scale of the tournament.

While many point to the Super Bowl as an unmatched one-off cultural phenomenon, Roddick highlighted the sheer logistical footprint of the fortnight at Flushing Meadows.

He pointed to massive crowds numbering around 80,000 people flooding the site strictly during the practice weeks alone. Roddick said on the Served Podcast:

I am going to say it and we are going to get hammered. This is the biggest sport event [US Open] in the United States. Everyone is like the Super Bowl. I get it, a one time thing. This was three weeks of a Super Bowl sized crowd during practice week! We are talking about 80,000 people on site for practice weeks.

Reflecting on his firsthand perspective wearing multiple hats on-site, Roddick described an intense three-week window of fan engagement that defies traditional accounting. He emphasized that the outsized public demand for tennis currently surpasses anything else he has witnessed in sports. He added:

I saw three weeks where I had a front row seat and was wearing a lot of different hats. It is the best sporting event in the world. Three weeks of interest that you almost can’t account for, because the demand is so outsized. I don’t know what else can do it. I don’t know that our sport has ever been bigger.

Television ratings strongly reinforced his observations as the US Open men’s singles event averaged 3.2 million viewers on ESPN, marking the network’s highest total in history. By comparison, the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 in front of 125.6 million viewers at Levi’s Stadium during the 2026 Super Bowl.

Alexander Zverev conquers New York in four sets

Alexander Zverev secured the second Grand Slam title of his career by defeating Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(7/2), 5-7, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The top-seeded German successfully held off a ferocious third-set surge from the home favorite to claim the prestigious New York trophy.

Zverev thoroughly neutralized Shelton’s aggressive service games while dictating baseline rallies using his powerful forehand and backhand wings. This victory effectively expunged the bitter memory of his heartbreaking 2020 US Open final defeat against Dominic Thiem.

Shelton had ignited the star-studded crowd by breaking Zverev late in the third set to extend the match into a fourth frame. However, Zverev immediately responded in the opening game of the fourth set by running Shelton ragged through a grueling 24-shot rally.

Having previously triumphed at the French Open earlier in the year, the 29-year-old German now holds the world number two ranking. With Jannik Sinner currently sidelined by a knee injury, Zverev is positioned to challenge strongly for the top spot.

Elena Rybakina claims US Open Title and World No. 1 ranking

Elena Rybakina captured her maiden US Open singles title by defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in a fiercely contested New York final. This hard-fought triumph marked the third Grand Slam championship of her illustrious professional career.

In addition to securing the coveted Flushing Meadows trophy, Rybakina’s stellar victory propelled her to the summit of professional tennis. She officially became Kazakhstan’s first-ever world number one player following this historic performance.

The high-stakes championship match showcased both competitors trading powerful baseline blows throughout three tense sets of tennis. Rybakina ultimately regained her composure in the deciding set to comfortably close out the victory.

The Kazakhstan star’s breakthrough triumph in North America adds another monumental milestone to her rapidly expanding tennis resume. Her ability to execute under extreme championship pressure cemented her status as the premier player on tour.

Also Read: Elena Rybakina Reflects on First Conversation with Maria Sharapova After US Open Triumph: “It Was a Special Moment”