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ESPN's Tennis Coverage Stumbles: Fans Miss Key Moments
4 Sep
Summary
- Fans missed Gael Monfils' final US Open match and emotional farewell.
- ESPN aired desk commentary instead of concluding Monfils' last match.
- Learner Tien advanced to the third round, a career best for him.
During the 2026 US Open, ESPN's broadcast decisions drew fan ire on September 3rd. Instead of airing the conclusion of Gael Monfils' final US Open match, the network opted for a commentary segment. This choice meant viewers missed Monfils' emotional farewell to the tournament he'd competed in for over two decades. It also prevented fans from witnessing American player Learner Tien achieve a career-best third-round appearance. Monfils, who celebrated his 40th birthday recently, is retiring at the end of the year. He expressed gratitude for the US Open crowd, ranking it second only to the French Open's atmosphere. Previously, ESPN's tennis coverage, including commentary from figures like Andy Roddick, had been generally well-received. However, this latest incident has renewed criticism regarding broadcast priorities during significant tennis events.
