US Open Quietly Gives Huge Makeover to Its New Reality Dating Show

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Wendi Oliveros | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 5:49 PM ET

In late July, the US Open announced that the tournament would host its first-ever YouTube reality show called "Game, Set, Matchmaker." The premise was for a female contestant called the "Champion" to match with seven men in search of her "doubles partner."

The Champion was ice skater and Pilates instructor Ilana Sedaka. The episodes were to be filmed during US Open Fan Week (August 18-23) and premiere when main draw play begins.

Sedaka and her partners would be sent on dates and challenges on the US Open grounds so she could find her love match (pun intended).

Fan backlash was immediate, with many calling it cringey, scolding the US Open for turning a competitive Grand Slam into "Love Island." Others were just plain confused.

After the initial outrage and while fans were focused elsewhere, the tournament rolled out a new "Game, Set, Matchmaker" premise.

Reimagined US Open "Game, Set, Matchmaker" Idea Looks Nothing Like the Original

Instead of one female contestant and seven men, there are now eight couples going on first dates during US Open Fan Week.

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The new promotional video appears to show Sedaka, a New York native who now lives in Miami, as one of the women participating in the new format. We do not know how the tournament selected the other participants.

Idk if anyone clocked this, but the US Open completely changed the concept of their matchmaking YouTube show after the…resounding negative feedback. This is a very different premise from what was originally pitched. pic.twitter.com/gjCK8klqaP
— miranda (@tennisera) August 19, 2025