US Open Faces Backlash Over Late-Night Match Schedules

Player Frustration Mounts Over 2 a.m. Finishes

Alexander Zverev didn’t hold back his frustration after completing a first-round match that stretched deep into the early morning hours, leaving empty grandstands in its wake. The star answered just two quick questions on the court before cutting his media interaction short. I think everyone is tired, Zverev said. Everyone wants to go dormir. The physical toll on competitors has intensified as the tournament set a record with three separate match conclusions coming after 2 a.m. during the opening six days of competition. Two additional encounters extended past 1 a.m., igniting a broad debate over athlete welfare and recovery during a major championship. Zverev himself became the first top seed in the men’s draw to contest two consecutive five-set matches at the start of a major since the professional era began in 1968, logging finishes at 1:55 a.m. and 2:15 a.m.

Broadcaster Demands Clash With Athlete Recovery

Players acknowledge the commercial realities driving the schedule. American Jessica Pegula pointed directly to the television networks and broadcasting logistics that dictate strict time slots for court availability.

I know they have to manage a lot of aspects related to broadcast and television, and make sure certain matches finish and start at a specific time, for those reasons,

Jessica Pegula Despite understanding the economic pressures, Pegula questioned the wisdom of forcing athletes off the court at 2 a.m., noting that television viewers are mostly asleep by that hour and many live fans have already departed for home. Women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka echoed those sentiments, explaining that finishing past midnight completely disrupts an athlete’s preparation and rest schedule for the following day.

Grand Slam Comparisons Highlight US Open Outlier Status

The scheduling controversy puts the US Open in sharp contrast with its fellow Grand Slam tournaments. Wimbledon enforces a strict 11 p.m. curfew, while the French Open programs only a single night session match per day. By comparison, the Flushing Meadows major embraces its identity as the city that never sleeps, but critics argue the current edition has pushed that trademark too far. Boris Becker joined the chorus of disapproval, questioning the sport’s unique status among global athletic competitions. Becker challenged observers to name another major sport that routinely forces participants to perform until the early morning hours. Martina Navratilova similarly denounced the nocturnal scheduling, calling tennis the sole sport operating under such grueling timeframes.

Historical Precedents and Record-Breaking Hours

The scheduling strain was immediately evident on opening night, when Venus Williams took the court at 12:13 a.m. following a grueling 4-hour and 36-minute marathon that saw Novak Djokovic eliminated in the opening round. Williams and Sofia Kenin battled through the unorthodox start time in what may have been the 46-year-old’s final singles appearance at a major. It’s not ideal, Williams said regarding the timing. I just don’t know any other sport where you have to start that late. Subsequent rounds offered no relief. Ben Shelton’s second-round victory over Canadian Denis Shapovalov stretched until 2:07 a.m. on Saturday morning, held up in part by a lengthy women’s doubles match featuring the Williams sisters that lasted over three hours. Shelton admitted that he did not expect to fall asleep until 5 a.m. following the contest. Four of the 17 latest finishes in tournament history have now been recorded during this single event, though the all-time record remains anchored at 2:50 a.m. from Carlos Alcaraz’s 2022 quarterfinal win over Jannik Sinner.