Overview
- Michelle Obama, who attended the U.S. Open women’s semifinals on Thursday, Sept. 10, received a loud ovation when she was shown on the Arthur Ashe Stadium big screen.
- On Friday, Sept. 11, Obama posted on X a short message of support for Coco Gauff that praised Gauff’s play and expressed pride in U.S. tennis.
- The evening’s results saw Aryna Sabalenka defeat Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 and Elena Rybakina beat Coco Gauff, setting Sabalenka and Rybakina up for the championship match.
- Fashion outlets noted Obama’s red, white and navy striped dress and gold accessories, framing the look as a deliberate, patriotic‑tinged choice that drew its own media attention.
- A subset of social‑media users criticized Obama for praising Gauff but not Pegula, a limited online debate that reporters placed in context with Obama’s prior, public history of supporting Gauff and other Black athletes.