"Swiatek Gets Starstruck at US Open: 'Ted Lasso' Star Jason Sudeikis in the Stands for Her Big Win"

Top-seeded Iga Swiatek received an unexpected boost during her fourth-round match at the U.S. Open on Monday, thanks to an appearance by one of her favorite celebrities. Jason Sudeikis, the lead actor from the popular TV show “Ted Lasso,” was spotted in the stands at Arthur Ashe Stadium, cheering on the world number one.

Swiatek, who was up against Liudmila Samsonova, went on to secure a decisive 6-4, 6-1 victory. The presence of Sudeikis, who portrays the optimistic and motivational coach in the Apple TV series, clearly had an impact on the Polish tennis star. Despite her focus on the match, Swiatek admitted to catching a glimpse of Sudeikis while looking at the chair umpire.

“I actually tried to avoid looking at the screens, but I saw him tonight when I was looking at the chair umpire,” Swiatek said. “I wanted to stay focused and I hope he appreciates my mentality because this is what ‘Ted Lasso’ is all about.” Swiatek has previously expressed her admiration for the show’s positive messages, which seem to resonate with her own approach to the sport.

This moment of celebrity attention was not a first for Swiatek at Flushing Meadows. Earlier in the tournament, she also had the chance to interact with Serena Williams, who made a return to the U.S. Open for the first time since her final match two years ago. Swiatek described the encounter with the 23-time Grand Slam champion as “nice” and mentioned that it was Serena who approached her, as she herself would have been too shy to initiate the conversation.

Not to be outdone, American Frances Tiafoe made his own celebrity connection after his fourth-round victory over Alexei Popyrin. During his post-match interview, Tiafoe took a moment to address Tony Goldwyn, the actor known for his role in the TV series “Scandal,” who was also in the crowd.

“I’m a huge fan of you, bro,” Tiafoe said, pointing towards Goldwyn. “Me and my girl used to watch ‘Scandal’ all the time.” Tiafoe’s gesture highlights the increasingly visible crossover between sports and entertainment, as athletes and celebrities alike mingle at major events like the U.S. Open.

As the tournament progresses, the presence of high-profile personalities continues to add an extra layer of excitement and engagement for both players and fans. With Swiatek advancing further in the tournament and more stars expected to attend, the buzz around Flushing Meadows is likely to keep building.