Top seed Iga Swiatek received an unexpected boost during her fourth-round match against Liudmila Samsonova at the US Open yesterday, as one of her favorite TV show stars, Jason Sudeikis from Ted Lasso, attended the match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The US Open’s annual influx of celebrities is in full swing, with regulars like Vogue editor Anna Wintour and comedic actor Ben Stiller spotted at the event. Swiatek was especially excited to see Sudeikis, who plays Ted Lasso, in the crowd during her 6-4, 6-1 victory.
“I actually tried to avoid looking at the screens, but I saw him tonight when I was looking at the chair umpire,” Swiatek said, adding that she values the Apple TV show’s message of “positivity.”
“I wanted to stay focused and I hope he appreciates my mentality because this is what Ted Lasso is all about.”
This wasn’t the first time the world number one found herself feeling a bit star-struck at Flushing Meadows.
Swiatek also had the opportunity to speak with 23-time major winner Serena Williams, who made her return to the tournament two years after playing her final match at Arthur Ashe.
“It was nice that she approached me because I wouldn’t, for sure, have the courage to do that if it was the other way around,” Swiatek admitted.
While Swiatek tends to be more reserved, not all players are as shy.
After his fourth-round win over Alexei Popyrin, American Frances Tiafoe took a more direct approach, grabbing the microphone from the on-court interviewer to address Tony Goldwyn, a star of the TV show Scandal, who was in the crowd.
“I’m a huge fan of you, bro,” Tiafoe said, gesturing toward Goldwyn. “Me and my girl used to watch Scandal all the time.” — REUTERS
