NBA legend Steph Curry, F1 icon Lewis Hamilton & Paris Olympics gold medalist Noah Lyles steal the spotlight at Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka US Open final

September 8, 2024

Steph Curry (left top), Lewis Hamilton (left bottom), Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka | Getty

The highly anticipated 2024 US Open women’s singles final between Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula has drawn star power, with Steph Curry and Lewis Hamilton spotted in the stands. Several other celebrities were also in attendance to soak in the summit clash.

Sabalenka is taking on Pegula at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in the championship match on Saturday, September 7. This is the Belarusian’s second consecutive appearance in a final after her runner-up finish to Coco Gauff last year. Meanwhile, Pegula is participating in her maiden Grand Slam final.

To soak in the final’s atmosphere, four-time NBA champion Steph Curry arrived at the Flushing Meadows with his wife Ayesha. Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton was also seated in the stands with Paris Olympics 100m gold medalist Noah Lyles.

Also in attendance at Arthur Ashe Stadium was four-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters, who came with her daughter Jada. The pair met with the two finalists on the court and snapped photos before the match. American tennis icon Billie Jean King was also seated inside the stadium complex named after her.

American rapper Flavor Flav, born William Jonathan Drayton Jr., was spotted as well. He recently invested in the USA Water Polo Women’s and Men’s National Teams.

Aryna Sabalenka ready for a “great battle” against Jessica Pegula in the US Open 2024 final

Jessica Pegula (L) and Aryna Sabalenka with their trophies at the Cincinnati Open 2024 (Image: Getty)

Jessica Pegula (L) and Aryna Sabalenka with their trophies at the Cincinnati Open 2024 (Image: Getty)

Aryna Sabalenka defeated Emma Navarro 6-3, 7-6(2) in the first semifinal of the evening on Thursday, September 5. Jessica Pegula was yet to play her semifinal against Karolina Muchova when the Belarusian was asked about her potential match against the American in the final. Sabalenka was ready to have ‘another great battle’.

“I mean, we had a lot of great battles in the past—really difficult, tight matches. She’s playing incredible tennis, and we played recently in Cincinnati. It was a really tough match; even though I closed it in two sets, it still wasn’t easy,” Sabalenka said. (starting at 5:40)

“She’s playing her best tennis, I would say, and it feels like she’s back on track… So, she’s in incredible shape, and it’s going to be another great battle,” she added.

Pegula defeated Muchova 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 to set up a Cincinnati Open final rematch in the US Open final. The pair have faced seven times before their summit clash in New York and Sabalenka leads the way 5-2. In their last encounter, the Belarusian pulled off an impressive 6-3, 7-5.