The women’s final at the 2025 US Open was always going to be electric. On one side stood Amanda Anisimova, the American crowd favorite chasing her first Slam. Across the net, Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, defending her crown and aiming for a fourth career major. A rematch of their Wimbledon semifinal promised fireworks.
But before the players even hit a ball, something else stole the spotlight. For the second straight women’s final in New York, the “Star-Spangled Banner”wasn’t sung. Instead, fans were left wondering why the nation’s anthem wasn’t played on its biggest tennis stage.
This isn’t new. Back in 2023, Coco Gauff’s final against Sabalenka also skipped the anthem, opting instead for “America the Beautiful.” Organizers kept the pattern this year, sticking to their policy of featuring the anthem on opening night – but not for championship matches.
Fans Say Tradition Is Being Ignored
While Wimbledon and Roland Garros rarely include national anthems before finals, the Australian Open often does. Just this year in Melbourne, 12-year-old Zoe Desmier performed “Advance Australia Fair” before Sabalenka’s semifinal. To American fans watching at home, that contrast stung.
Social media turned into a venting ground almost instantly. “Watching the US Open women’s final. What the heck do liberals have against our national anthem????” one fan posted on X. Another wrote, “It’s completely shameful what a disgrace!”
Former ESPN anchor Sage Steele voiced similar frustrations two years ago, calling the absence of the anthem before Novak Djokovic’s final against Daniil Medvedev“sad” and “ironic“.
The Debate Overshadows the Tennis
For Anisimova, the night was about seizing a career-defining opportunity. For Sabalenka, it was about extending her dominance. Yet much of the conversation swirled around an empty pre-match moment. As one disgruntled fan tagged the tournament’s account: “So no national anthem at US Open final??? You guys suck @usopen.”
The tennis itself may go down in history. But for many, the silence before the match will be what they remember most.
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