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US Open: Players Slam Late-Night Schedule Chaos
4 Sep
Summary
- Players express frustration with matches ending after midnight.
- Late finishes impact player recovery and next-day performance.
- Tournament prioritizes TV revenue over athlete well-being.
The US Open is facing significant backlash from players regarding its late-night scheduling, with matches repeatedly concluding well past midnight. This practice is causing considerable distress among athletes, who are calling for a change to prioritize their recovery and health.
Several top players, including Jessica Pegula and World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, have publicly criticized the schedule. They highlight the negative impact on their bodies and the disruption to their routines, affecting their ability to perform optimally. The Venus Williams vs. Sofia Kenin match, which began at 12:13 a.m. ET on September 2nd, 2026, and concluded after 2 a.m. ET, exemplifies the problem, with many spectators having already departed.
Tournament organizers defend the scheduling by citing the nature of tennis matches and broadcast requirements. They argue that a single night match would disadvantage ticket-holding fans and that starting earlier is problematic for New York attendees. However, with broadcast deals reportedly worth substantial annual sums, the US Open appears to be making a clear choice to prioritize prime-time television slots and revenue generation over player welfare.
This issue is not new, with a notorious five-hour quarterfinal ending at 2:50 a.m. ET in 2022. Despite past incidents and ongoing player concerns, including warnings from Coco Gauff about the unhealthiness of 3 a.m. finishes, the tournament has yet to implement a satisfactory solution, leaving the balance between player well-being and financial gain uncertain.
