A US Open semifinal that should have been remembered for exceptional tennis between Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova instead became a lightning rod for controversy. Chris Evert’s commentary during the September 4 match sparked a social media firestorm, with fans accusing the tennis legend of bias and repetitive criticism that overshadowed the high-quality play on court.
What Did Chris Evert Say During the US Open Semifinal Between Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova?
The match itself delivered everything tennis fans could want. Osaka captured the first set in a tense tiebreak, 7-6(4), showcasing her trademark serve power with 15 aces and winning 68% of her first-serve points. Anisimova fought back brilliantly in the second set, overcoming a 5-3 deficit to force her own tiebreak, which she dominated 7-6(3) behind 17 winners and an impressive 71.4% second-serve return success rate.
The deciding set belonged entirely to the 24-year-old American, who surged ahead with early breaks and closed out the match 6-3 after nearly three hours of momentum-shifting rallies. However, the tennis became secondary to Evert’s commentary approach.
From the opening serve, Evert’s tone caught viewers’ attention for all the wrong reasons. The 18-time Grand Slam champion repeatedly criticized the coaching exchanges in Osaka’s box, questioning her reliance on sideline guidance during changeovers.
While current rules explicitly allow coach-player communication during these breaks, Evert described such interactions as a crutch, insisting players should “figure it out” independently on court.
How Did the Tennis Community React to Evert’s Commentary?
The backlash was swift and pointed. Many viewers felt Evert’s repeated criticism detracted from what should have been a celebration of elite tennis.
One frustrated fan wrote: “Chris Evert takes are very condescending and it’s so annoying.”
Chris Evert takes are very condescending and it’s so annoying- @usopen @espn I mean coaching is literally LEGAL- The top men gets coached play by play- and that’s all she keeps referencing🙄 like we get it, players should figure it out. Noted. Please move on- #OsakavsAnismova
— OGTennisQueen (@Glam_Girl84) September 5, 2025
The criticism extended beyond just the coaching comments. Another viewer called out Evert’s overall negative approach to the sport, writing that she “hates on-court coaching” and delivers “hater energy” that ruins the viewing experience.
Chris Evert really hates on court coaching. How do I know this? Because she says as much 50 times during the matches she calls. Always being negative and giving off hater energy.
One of two who really ruin my experience watching tennis.
More Sloan Stephens please!!!#USOpen
— 💜💛🖤Erika🖤💛💜 (@mzbunnie) September 5, 2025
The repetitive nature of Evert’s commentary became a running joke among viewers. One fan sarcastically asked if someone could check what Evert thinks about coach-player interactions, noting they weren’t sure after hearing her opinion “742 times.”
Can someone ask Chris Evert what she thinks about players looking to their coaches for input. I’m not sure we know her opinion after commenting on it 742 times….
— Bill Alesio (@walesio) September 5, 2025
The frustration reached a peak during the third set, with one viewer expressing conflicted feelings about wanting to see more tennis while dreading more commentary. They wrote that Evert “likes to hear herself speak, blabs about whatever comes to her mind first, accurate/realistic or not.”
As much as im dying to see a third set in this Osaka/Anisimova match, I don’t think I can take another full set of Chris Evert commentary.
Just likes to hear herself speak, blabs about whatever comes to her mind first, accurate/realistic or not.
Horrible.
— Ryan (@tennisnitenight) September 5, 2025
Some fans directed their frustration at broadcasters themselves. One viewer asked Evert to be quiet, while another called out the commentary team’s bias, writing, “Perhaps you could encourage Chris Evert to call a match with less bias. Renee Stubbs is great. Pam Shriver needs to go.”
Adding to the criticism, viewers caught factual errors in Evert’s commentary. During references to Osaka’s earlier match against Elina Svitolina at the Canadian Open, Evert mispronounced the Ukrainian player’s surname as ‘Svitolini,’ prompting one fan to joke about the name change making Svitolina sound Italian.
Chris Evert just now referring to Osaka match in Montreal beating Svitolini. How did I miss Elina becoming Italian?
— IGAFAN 1 (@Variant488) September 4, 2025
This controversy follows previous criticism Evert faced when she took a shot at Coco Gauff during ESPN’s tribute to her 1975 US Open victory.
Despite the commentary drama, Anisimova’s achievement deserves recognition. She reached her first US Open final and her second consecutive final this season. She faces Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday, taking on a player who has struggled against American opponents this year.
