FANS CRITICISE ESPN GRAPHIC MARKING RYBAKINA'S US OPEN WIN

Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka to win the women's singles title at the 2026 US Open, a result one report described as historic. ESPN broadcast a graphic marking the win that fans criticised as bizarre, according to that report. The trophy presentation ceremony that followed also drew criticism, with fans calling the on-court interviews with Rybakina and Sabalenka awkward, according to another report. That report described fans' reaction to the ceremony as "a disaster". The criticism was aired publicly by tennis fans after the broadcast.

The result closed out the women's singles competition at the tournament. In the men's draw, Alexander Zverev won the US Open title, beating Ben Shelton after the American's run ended. Reports said Zverev appeared slow to realise he had won the match. The criticism of ESPN's coverage centred on the presentation of the women's final rather than on the outcome itself. Fans singled out how the network handled the moment Rybakina was confirmed champion.

The complaints formed part of wider discussion about how the broadcaster covered the tournament's finals. Sabalenka took part in the ceremony alongside Rybakina as the beaten finalist. Neither ESPN nor tournament organisers were reported to have responded to the criticism. The dispute emerged as the 2026 US Open concluded with both singles champions confirmed. Fans continued to discuss the ceremony on social media after the tournament had finished, according to reports.