In utter disbelief! America’s Jessica Pegula takes on the world number one Iga Swiatek in the QF of the 2024 US Open. We expect the stadium to be absolutely jam-packed in this high-voltage clash, right? However, surprisingly, the scenes are a bit different at the Arthur Ashe Stadium at the moment. Several fans are surprised to see this scene and that too when an American is on the court!

Both of these players have met each other nine times in their careers. Currently, Swiatek leads the H2H scoreline by a 6-3 margin. We heard Swiatek say, “Against Jessie, it’s never easy. It’s going to be, for sure, a tough one, because she plays a really flat ball with no spin. You have to really work low on your legs.” This shows us the magnitude of this match. Yet empty seats are a bit worrying signs for all the tennis fans.

This is the second time in three years that both of these players are in a QF match at the US Open. Despite having a comprehensive lead over Pegula in the H2H scoreline, Swiatek also admitted, “For sure she’s in a good rhythm right now, and she won so many matches in past weeks, that for sure it’s going to be a challenge.” Getting such words of praise from the world number one will surely boost Pegula’s confidence. However. can she deliver?

Well, the American has got off to a fine start in this match, and guess what? She has also won the first set and as we talk, she has also managed to win the second. Jessica Pegula has beaten the world number one by 6-2, 6-4. What a moment for her to achieve this mammoth task in front of this handful of home support at Arthur Ashe Stadium! However, fans who weren’t in the stadium tonight must be repenting now for missing out on this high-voltage clash. What a match! Let’s check out some of the reactions from the fans on this low attendance in a QF match of the US Open.

Fans are shocked to see empty seats at Arthur Ashe Stadium during Jessica Pegula’s match against Iga Swiatek

Seeing such a grim face of the iconic stadium, some of the fans felt the Williams sisters were heavily missed at this tournament. Serena Williams has won 6 US Open titles in her singles career, while her elder sister Venus Williams has won 2 so far in her career. Their achievements in this tournament are enormous and fans always loved watching them play. Could you ever expect such a scenario in their matches? One of them wrote, “The way Arthur Ashe stadium is half empty and there is an American playing against the world N1. Oh Serena and Venus you’re very much missed.”

From the QFs, all matches will be played at Arthur Ashe Stadium. There will be no matches at the Grandstand or Louis Armstrong! According to several reports, the cheapest tickets for the QF are $198, while if you want to sit right behind one end of the court, you might have to spend $11,000. That’s the highest! Another one added, “So many empty seats! That’s crazy. Those tickets should go to the fans, people! somebody! Jingle netties.”

From this year, fans need not have to wait until the end of a point or a game at times to go and grab some beer or hot dog. A new policy has been implemented with tickets for certain section at every court. From 23,859 capacity Arthur Ashe Stadium to 336 seated Court 8 and 16, fans can move around whenever they want, and even during play! However, despite this type of relaxation to draw in more crowd towards the sport, the picture still looks a bit grim at the moment. Several others were shocked to see this scene in Jessica Pegula’s QF match at Arthur Ashe, they wrote, “Geez Arthur Ashe stadium looks empty @usopen women’s quarterfinals. #Grandslam.”

A few of them added, “So many empty seats…” If that’s the scene at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in the QF, imagine what can happen in the SF and final. In the SF, the matches are priced at $196 (lowest) and $9320 (highest). While for the finals, it’s $338 (lowest) and $3058 (highest). Fans now hope there will be better attendance in those two matches.

Just a few days ago, fans were a bit displeased with the large turnout at the US Open. They complained that large crowds mean longer lines and congestion around the grounds. Fans said it’s extremely difficult to find seats on courts that are open to general admission. The tournament has been quite “busier than ever.” As per several reports, if we combine day and night matches, then the total attendance was around 75,012 fans per day in the last few days. This makes it amongst the top five best-attended days ever at the tournament.

Now, after seeing empty seats in a vital QF match, a fan wrote, “Geez Arthur Ashe stadium looks empty @usopen women’s quarterfinals. #Grandslam.” What are your thoughts on the possible reasons behind the empty seats at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in the QF match featuring one of America’s favorite tennis stars?