U.S. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles made a surprise appearance on Wednesday night at the U.S. Open, where she watched the match between Jessica Pegula and Iga Swiatek. This comes just over a month after Biles’ return from the Paris Olympics, where she earned four medals, including three golds. With 11 Olympic medals now under her belt, she is one of the most decorated gymnasts in Olympic history.
The match between Pegula and Swiatek was a high-stakes battle, featuring two top-ranked players. Pegula, an American, entered as the sixth seed, while Swiatek, from Poland, was the top seed. They faced off for a coveted spot in the Grand Slam semifinals, with Pegula pulling off a stunning upset. She defeated Swiatek in straight sets, winning 6-2, 6-4. This victory marked Pegula’s first time reaching a semifinal in a major tournament, while Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, fell short.
During the match, ESPN interviewed Biles, who shared her excitement about the event. “Oh my God, so far, it’s been electric,” Biles said. “It’s a lot quieter than I anticipated, but it’s a beautiful atmosphere.” The relative quiet could be attributed to tennis tradition, where fans typically wait until after a point is won to applaud. Nevertheless, Biles seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the experience.
Pegula’s next challenge will be against Karolina Muchova, an unseeded player from the Czech Republic. Their semifinal match is scheduled for Thursday, September 4, at 8:30 p.m. ET.
At just 27 years old, it remains uncertain whether Biles will compete in the 2028 Olympic Games, which are set to take place in Los Angeles.