Day 13 of the 2024 US Open was filled with emotional and controversial moments. From Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula turning emotional in their final speeches to Nick Kyrgios facing backlash for a seemingly derogatory remark about Jannik Sinner’s girlfriend, the day was eventful. Additionally, Chris Evert’s commentary during the final match sparked a new wave of criticism.
Here are three notable moments from the 2024 US Open on Day 13:
Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula express gratitude to loved ones following US Open final
Aryna Sabalenka humorously teased her team after securing her third Major title by defeating first-time Grand Slam singles finalist and local favorite Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in an hour and 53 minutes in the final at the 2024 US Open.
In her pursuit of her first US Open title, Sabalenka overcame Priscilla Hon, Lucia Bronzetti, 29th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, 33rd seed Elise Mertens, seventh seed Zheng Qinwen, 13th seed Emma Navarro, and finally sixth-seeded Pegula. With this triumph, she became the first player since Serena Williams in 2008 and 2009 to reach consecutive US Open finals.
In her victory speech, Sabalenka humorously teased her coaching team, saying they were mutually dependent on each other. Afterward, she then headed to her players' box to embrace her team, including her boyfriend Georgios Frangulis.
"Let's be honest, without them it wouldn't be me, I wouldn't exist and as I always say, without me, you guys wouldn't exist, so you're welcome.
"No, no, I love you guys. Your support is everything. You are my family and I cannot imagine my tennis life and my personal life without you guys. I really love you. I say it, like not often but I say it sometimes and I say it loud. Guys, I love you so much. Thank you for being you."
Jessica Pegula thanked her team, family, and supporters during her runner-up speech, noting the presence of many friends and family in the crowd, though she couldn’t pinpoint exactly where they were.
"Thank you guys over there in my box. Thanks to both my coaches, Mark and Mark, Seb - my physio, John,ymy trainer, my brother, sister, agent, husband, everybody that's in the box today. Thank you guys so much for supporting me over the last, you know, well, forever.
"And also too, I think my parents are also somewhere here. I have lots of friends and family that just came in to watch that are all kind of scattered around. I don't really know where they are. Thank you guys so much for coming and supporting me,I mean, it's been a long journey. So to, to be able to have your support here in the US, at my home slam is amazing. Thank you."
On her way to the final, the sixth-seeded American defeated Shelby Rogers, Sofia Kenin, Jessica Bouzas, 18th seed Diana Shnaider, top seed Iga Swiatek, and Karolina Muchova to reach her first Grand Slam singles final.
Nick Kyrgios received flak for a remark about Jannik Sinner's girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya
Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg strongly condemned Nick Kyrgios for his seemingly derogatory comment about Jannik Sinner’s girlfriend, Anna Kalinskaya. Kyrgios, who is currently in ESPN's broadcasting team for the 2024 US Open, has been persistently critical of Sinner following the Italian's positive test for a banned substance earlier this year.
Recently, Kyrgios created a poll on X, asking followers to predict whether Sinner or Taylor Fritz would win the upcoming US Open men's singles final. A fan, in a now-deleted tweet, shared a photo of Kyrgios with Kalinskaya, with whom the Australian had a brief relationship in 2020. In response, Kyrgios made a remark about the Russian.
Rothenberg took to X to criticize ESPN for not removing Kyrgios from his commentary duties during the women’s US Open final, given his “disparaging” remarks about Kalinskaya.
"Honestly a bit surprised to see ESPN didn’t yank Nick Kyrgios off air mid-#USOpen final, seeing his most recent disparaging tweet about a WTA player circulating. Given his history of demeaning women, women’s tennis, and WTA players, it was already a dubious choice to have him," Rothenberg wrote.
This is not the first time Kyrgios has faced criticism for his comments. At the 2015 Canadian Open, during a second-round match against Stan Wawrinka, Kyrgios made a controversial remark, regarding his friend Thanasi Kokkinakis and Wawrinka’s then-girlfriend Donna Vekic.
Top seed Jannik Sinner advanced to the US Open final, following a 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-2 victory over 25th seed Jack Draper in the semifinals. The Italian will take on 12th seed Taylor Fritz for his second Grand Slam title.
Chris Evert’s US Open final remarks trigger new wave of backlash
Chris Evert came under fire for her commentary during the 2024 US Open final between Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula.
The latest controversy occurred when Evert suggested that Sabalenka would achieve the World No. 1 ranking someday, despite the Belarusian already holding that position for eight weeks following her loss in the 2023 US Open final.
Chris Evert recently sparked controversy by comparing Karolina Muchova's playing style to that of a male player, while her remarks on Naomi Osaka's custom outfit were labeled "racist" by some. The 18-time Major winner was accused of perceived "bias" toward Coco Gauff during the latter's fourth-round loss and also received flak for declaring Sabalenka’s semifinal win over Emma Navarro as the best women’s match of the tournament.