Empty seats, tired stars: The US Open’s post-2 a.m. finishes spark a pushback
- The American Grand Slam set a record with three post-2 a.m. finishes over the first six days, sparking concerns about late scheduling at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Fans historically loved night matches, but the frequency has prompted pushback.
- Ben Shelton's match against Denis Shapovalov concluded at 2:07 a.m. Saturday in New York, following a three-hour doubles match featuring Venus Williams. Extended durations left empty seats in the stadium's final hours.
- Jessica Pegula questioned the scheduling, stating, "you have to wonder if it's really the right thing for players to be finishing at 2 a.m." Williams added, "I just don't know any other sport where you have to start that late."
- Top-Ranked Aryna Sabalenka noted that late finishes disrupt sleep, forcing players to "start later" the next day. "You just can really mess up your schedule," she said, describing lingering effects on training and recovery.
- Wimbledon instituted an 11 p.m. curfew while The French Open schedules one match nightly, contrasting sharply with the American Grand Slam's approach. One observer noted that even in New York, "the city that never sleeps is going a little overboard.
33 Articles
33 Articles
Empty seats, tired stars: US Open late finishes spark pushback
NEW YORK — Alexander Zverev wasn’t in the mood for much conversation. With empty seats everywhere after he finished his US Open first-round match in the early morning hours, he took two questions from reporters on the court and quickly wrapped it up. “I think everybody’s tired,” he said. “Everybody wants to go to sleep.”
As many games as never before end at the US Open this year in the early hours of the morning. Why New York is played far after midnight - and what changes critics demand.
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volksfreund.deAs many games as never before end at the US Open this year in the early hours of the morning. Why New York is played far after midnight - and what changes critics demand.
The tournament has already set a record this year with three game ends after 2:00 a.m. and two others that continued beyond 1:00 a.m.
Empty seats, tired stars: The US Open's post-2 a.m. finishes spar
Alexander Zverev, of Germany, celebrates after defeating Quentin Halys, of France, in five sets in the the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, early Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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