The Mubadala DC Open delivered a mix of tennis action and celebrity moments on Friday as famous faces joined fans at the tournament in Washington.
Television host Steve Harvey was among the special guests at the event. The Family Feud host visited the grounds and met tennis star Jessica Pegula after her quarterfinal victory.
The Mubadala DC Open Highlights included a friendly conversation between Harvey and Pegula about one of their shared interests, the National Football League.
Pegula asked Harvey if he supported the Buffalo Bills. Her family owns the NFL team, making the question a natural topic during their meeting.
Harvey explained that he is a fan of the Cleveland Browns because he is from Cleveland. However, he praised Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and shared that he had wanted his team to select Allen during the 2018 NFL Draft.
After their conversation, Harvey and Pegula took photos together. The television personality later participated in the coin toss for a men’s singles match on Stadium Court.
Harvey also spent time exploring the tournament grounds and interacting with fans attending the Washington event.
Pegula, who won the Washington tournament in 2019, continued her strong performance by reaching the semifinals. She is scheduled to face Diana Shnaider in the next round.
Shnaider also created a memorable moment during the tournament after her quarterfinal victory over Liudmila Samsonova. During her post-match press conference, an unexpected guest joined the conversation.
Her coach, Sascha Bajin, entered the room and asked Shnaider a question about the music she listens to before matches. The fun exchange brought laughter during the media session.
Shnaider said her team often listens to energetic songs before matches to build confidence and maintain a positive mindset. She explained that creating the right energy helps her prepare for competition.
The young tennis player also spoke about her relationship with Bajin. She said they share similar humor and a strong connection both on and off the court.
Shnaider praised her coach for being honest and giving direct feedback. She said truthful advice helps her continue improving as a player.
The semifinal match against Pegula will be another challenge for Shnaider. She is looking for her first win against the American player after previous meetings on the WTA Tour.
The tournament also welcomed members of the Washington Spirit, the local National Women’s Soccer League team. Players visited the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center to watch Friday night’s matches.
Washington Spirit defenders Gabrielle Carle and Paige Metayer attended the event. Carle is also a 2020 Olympic gold medalist with Canada.
The players joined the crowd for the quarterfinal match between Alexandra Eala and Elina Svitolina. They shared their reactions during the exciting match and supported the athletes on court.
The Washington Spirit players were joined by teammate Trinity Rodman, a United States women’s national team star. Rodman attended the event to support her boyfriend, tennis player Ben Shelton.
Eala made history at the tournament by defeating Svitolina and reaching the semifinals during her first appearance at the event. Her victory added another major moment to an already exciting day.
The Mubadala DC Open Highlights showed how the tournament brought together sports stars, celebrities and fans. From Harvey’s appearance to dramatic tennis matches, Friday provided entertainment both on and off the court.
As the tournament moves toward the final rounds, attention now turns to the semifinal matchups. Players will continue competing for a major title while fans enjoy more memorable moments in Washington.
