- Despite concerns about late match finishes, US Open organizers won’t change the nighttime schedule.
- Night sessions at the US Open start at 7:00 PM in New York and feature two matches.
- Discussions about late-night matches have happened, but no major changes are planned.
The US Open organizers affirm their commitment to the current scheduling format, with no plans to modify it to mitigate potential late-night conclusions during the forthcoming Grand Slam event.
The conclusion of matches in the early morning hours has recurrently raised concerns among players. The night sessions at the US Open, commencing at 7:00 PM in New York and featuring two matches, have been debated due to their propensity for extending into the late hours.
Stacey Allaster, the tournament director for the US Open, shared, “Currently, we are maintaining our stance with two night matches. We will continue to assess the situation.” This statement underlines the organizers’ willingness to consider potential changes in the future but also reflects the recognition of logistical and fairness challenges.
Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan expressed her dismay following her quarter-final match at the Canadian Open, which concluded at 3:00 AM local time. Instances such as these have prompted discussions regarding the timing of matches and the strain it places on players.
The US Open’s history includes several matches stretching beyond midnight at Flushing Meadows, including a remarkable men’s quarter-final last year between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Jannik Sinner of Italy, which concluded at an unprecedented 2:50 AM.
After the 2022 US Open, there was extensive dialogue and analysis concerning late-night matches. Allaster elaborated, “We examined the possibility of initiating the evening session earlier, possibly starting at 6:00 PM instead of 7:00 PM, but this option faces challenges as New Yorkers find it difficult to attend even at 7:00 PM. We also deliberated on the prospect of featuring only one night match, but we deemed this approach unfair to our dedicated fans.”
The topic of late-night matches and their impact on players has garnered attention, particularly when considering the match duration and players’ well-being. Andy Murray’s match against Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open concluded at 4:05 AM local time, prompting discussions about scheduling and player welfare.
Recent events, such as Elena Rybakina’s experience at the WTA event in Montreal, have rekindled the conversation. Criticisms have been directed towards the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for potentially overlooking the physical toll on players.
Allaster emphasized the uniqueness of tennis schedules, stating, “Tennis is not bound by specific start and end times. Matches can be brief or extend for five hours.” The complexity of match durations further underscores the challenge of finding a one-size-fits-all solution.
Allaster also noted, “What remains certain is the unmatched atmosphere of a night match on Arthur Ashe court.” As the final Grand Slam event of the year, the US Open is scheduled to commence on August 28 at Flushing Meadows.