With Carlos Alcaraz claiming the men’s title last night, the day after Aryna Sabalenka successfully defended her crown, the US Open has officially concluded.
And what an enthralling two weeks it was.
On the women’s side particularly, there was great jeopardy and an unpredictability regarding who might actually lift the trophy come the end of the tournament.
In the end, Aryna Sabalenka reigned supreme again, whilst we were treated to yet another meeting between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the men’s final, with the former coming out on top.
And yet, despite the intriguing and varied nature of these two finals, it was what happened immediately after both that drew great criticism, and subsequent adulation for the change made.
Jim Courier praised for how he handled the US Open trophy presentation
Mary Carillo was the broadcaster who was tasked with handling the women’s after-final speeches, whilst Jim Courier was employed to deal with the men.
Both have had wildly differing reactions to how they executed the task at hand.
After the women’s US Open final, there were complaints about how the on-court speeches were treated more like an interview, with both Amanda Anisimova and Sabalenka having to cut back in to finish off their speeches.
Clearly aware of the backlash this approach received, Courier has been praised for recognising that and allowing the ceremony to breathe at its own pace.
He stepped onto the court and said: “Congratulations on a great tournament, Jannik. The microphone is all yours.” That was all that was needed, and tennis fans have supported this overnight change.
It’s ironic that the after-match interview received such fanfare, when James Blake actually loved what he heard Alcaraz say before the US Open final.
How tennis fans reacted to the US Open trophy presentation ceremonies
One author, Christopher Clarey, would write on X in response to the men’s final ceremony: “Delighted to see the USTA and Jim Courier restoring the concept of letting the finalists give speeches instead of yesterday’s unsuccessful attempt at making it into an interview.”
This was a sentiment echoed by much of the tennis community, as they emerged to support such a notion.
Many then compared it to the lacklustre and maligned Carrilo alternative, with another fan claiming: “Jim Courier saw the Mary Carrilo debacle last night and was like yeah I ain’t making that same mistake.”
