RismadarVoice Reporters
September 6, 2026
Polish tennis star Iga Swiatek has said she is comfortable playing away from the spotlight of Arthur Ashe Stadium after securing a third-round victory at the US Open on the smaller Grandstand court.
Swiatek defeated Czech player Marie Bouzkova 7-6(3), 7-6(3) on Saturday in front of a crowd of just over 8,000 spectators at the Grandstand, one of the tournament’s outside venues at Flushing Meadows.
The world number eight seed said she enjoyed the more intimate atmosphere of the court compared with Arthur Ashe Stadium, the tournament’s main arena, which can hold nearly 24,000 spectators.
“Arthur Ashe is really alive. Sometimes too much,” Swiatek said after the match, adding that the Grandstand felt more natural and comfortable because of its smaller size and reduced distractions.
The Polish player’s comments came amid wider discussions among competitors about the unique atmosphere at the US Open, where crowd noise and fan involvement are often more intense than at other major tournaments.
Germany’s Alexander Zverev also experienced crowd interaction during his fourth-round qualification match, responding to a spectator who attempted to offer him coaching advice during his victory over Alejandro Tabilo.
Czech player Jakub Mensik also raised concerns about crowd behaviour during his match at Louis Armstrong Stadium, while Italy’s Flavio Cobolli described the noise levels at the tournament as different from what players usually experience on the tennis tour.
Despite the challenging environment, Swiatek continued her progress at the tournament after overcoming Bouzkova in two closely contested sets as she looks to make a deep run at the final Grand Slam event of the season.
