Aryna Sabalenka secured her second consecutive title at the 2025 US Open, defeating Amanda Anisimova in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 (3).  While the match showcased world-class tennis, one off-court aspect overshadowed the final: the absence of the American national anthem. 

The controversy centers on what was played or, more accurately, what was not played, before the women’s singles final. Traditionally, the US Open would feature “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the official national anthem of the United States. However, in 2023, during the final between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka, the organizers substituted it with “America the Beautiful,” a patriotic song but not the anthem itself. This pattern continued in 2024 and again in 2025, with the official anthem once more omitted. 

While other Grand Slam tournaments continue to honor their host nations’ official anthems, the US Open’s approach stands out. At the 2025 Australian Open, for instance, “Advance Australia Fair” was performed live by 9-year-old singer Zoe Desmier before the women’s final, keeping the tradition intact. At the French Open (Roland Garros), “La Marseillaise,” the French national anthem, is traditionally played before the men’s and women’s singles finals. At Wimbledon, the tradition is kept alive, too, just in a slightly different way. 

There, the British national anthem “God Save the King” is not played before every final, but played only when a British player wins a singles or doubles final, the last being Andy Murray in 2013. It’s more victory-specific rather than a pre-match ritual, but gets carried out all the same. 

So now, as fans notice that the US national anthem is being skipped or replaced at the finals, they have turned to social media to voice their frustration and disappointment. 

Fans call out US Open organizers for omitting national anthem ahead of Amanda Anisimova-Sabalenka clash

One angry fan wrote, “Watching the US Open women’s final. What the heck do liberals have against our national anthem???? Other countries enthusiastically play theirs at sporting events!!!!”  Meanwhile, another disappointed American chimed in saying, “US OPEN….What was that Bullshit National Anthem opening ceremony! It’s completely shameful 😞 what a disgrace!”

This isn’t the first time fans watching on TV have been upset over such a decision of the American hard court slam. Back in 2023, ahead of the men’s singles final, too, there was no national anthem played ahead of Djokovic-Medvedev’s battle. Remember what the former ESPN anchor Sage Steele said while commenting on that instance? “Ahhh… the irony of refusing to allow our national anthem … at the *US* Open,” while adding, “I remain hopeful that we can get back to truly appreciating the greatness of America, but man…this is sad.”

Then there were the ones who tagged the official US Open account on X and directly addressed them. “So no national anthem at US open final??? You guys suck @usopen,” one wrote. And “Why does the US Open not play the national anthem? @usopen,” added another. Seems like the event’s decision hasn’t gone down well with ardent Americans, and whether the organizers take fans’ displeasure into consideration for the next US Open Finals, remains to be seen. 

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