Imagine this: you lost the finals of Wimbledon and then of the US Open as well. Being a runner-up in back-to-back finals has its own emotional toll, and what could salt that wound even more is not having the moment to say what you want after the match. That is what happened with Amanda Anisimova today. And Aryna Sabalenka wasn’t safe from Mary Carillo either. The on-court Interview after the final had some moments that had the fans slamming the American sports commentator.

A fan voiced out on X, “I’m sorry, that was an absolutely awful hosted ceremony by Mary Carillo. She didn’t even realize Sabalenka was not finished with her speech yet. Either get someone who can actually moderate it like Mary Joe Fernandez in past years or (preferably) it’s not an interview.” Mary Carillo had the microphone after the US Open final came to an end, and it was a disaster.

“I mean, I absolutely love playing here, and it’s always been a dream of mine to play in the final of the US Open. Um, so a big thank you to everyone at the US Open who’s made this happen,” Amanda Anisimova said in the on-court interview after the match. She paused for a second after she expressed her thanks to the US Open tournament director, Stacey Allaster, which Carillo misunderstood as the conclusion of her speech. Before the US Open runner-up could say anything, Carillo interrupted, asking her to stay on stage to collect her finalist trophy. “Uh, just a few more words,” Anisimova had to clarify.

“Aryna Sabalenka, get up here.” That probably is not the most appropriate way to call the champion up on the stage, but Carillo did. “Thank you guys for bringing the best the best atmosphere,” Aryna Sabalenka said for the US crowd, but she still had more to say, and she did not take a pause; she was interrupted. Carillo went on to call the sponsor to present her with the check while the Belarusian had a confused look on her face. In the end, she also had to come up with a clarification.

“Wait, wait, wait, wait. I need to say thank you to my team.” Things also felt awkward when she chuckled and said, “I’m not done. What do you mean?” The fans are not all happy with this.  Safe to say that Mary Carillo at this moment in under a lot of heat from the fans.

Fans angry at Carillo for interrupting Amanda and Aryna Sabalenka

A comment literally read, “I can’t stand Carillo. I turn the channel or mute the volume when she is on 😡”. Meanwhile, agreeing with the initial tweet, a user replied, “I agree…Mary Joe or Chris McKendry would handle it so well.” With years of experience from SportsCenter, McKendry transitioned in 2016 to focus exclusively on tennis, hosting ESPN’s Grand Slam coverage, including the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open. Her knowledge and professionalism are insane. And also, since Mary Joe Fernández is a former professional tennis player, her analysis helps viewers better understand tennis strategy and how players improve, which is what viewers love.

But this user might disagree, as he wrote, “They all stink. I can’t think of 1 former player turned commentator that is good. I’d leave it to a true professional.” Carillo also played on the WTA Tour for a brief but impactful 6 years from 1976-82. During that time, she competed in 110 tour-level matches, and won the French Open mixed doubles title with John McEnroe. And she is getting a lot of heat.

One comment read, “I tuned out after she cut off Amanda lol she really did it twice?” Another added. Users might forget it once as a mistake, a human error, but doing it again and again, and then with another player as well, it’s just not something anybody is going to be easy on.

But while a big chunk of the world online criticized Carillo for her slip-up, one user decided to cut her some slack. “Mary is often good. She missed that one,” they wrote. What do you think about the whole incident? And as you share your thoughts, don’t forget to keep an eye on EssentiallySports’ US Open live blog when the men’s final kicks off.