Ben Shelton’s record-setting late-night victory over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open has intensified scrutiny over the tournament’s scheduling practices. Shelton defeated Alcaraz in a 4-hour, 28-minute marathon quarter-final that concluded at 3:34 a.m. local time on September 9, marking the latest finish in the 145-year history of the event.
Late finishes have long been a feature of the US Open, but this year has seen an unprecedented frequency of matches ending in the early hours. Four contests have extended past 2 a.m., with several others ending after 1 a.m. Notably, Venus Williams’ first-round match against Sofia Kenin did not begin until after midnight, finishing shortly after 2 a.m. These scheduling patterns have sparked debate among players, commentators, and officials about the feasibility and impact of such late hours.
Former tennis star Martina Navratilova criticized the late-night scheduling on social media, calling it “not ok” and “not normal.” She suggested restructuring the evening session to limit it to a single men’s or women’s singles match alongside doubles play, aiming to prevent matches from starting or finishing too late. Navratilova emphasized that the current format, which typically features both a men’s and women’s singles match on Ashe Stadium’s primetime slot, increases the risk of matches running deep into the night.
Tim Henman, a former British player and current analyst, acknowledged the iconic appeal of night matches at Flushing Meadows but proposed a system of “protected start times.” He recommended that if one match overruns a scheduled start, the ensuing match be moved to a different court to avoid excessively late play. Henman highlighted the importance of night sessions to ticket sales and broadcast, while noting the challenges for athletes competing at such hours.
Some voices have called for more radical changes, including shortening match formats. Sports commentator Bill Simmons suggested reducing the number of games required to win a set, while Andrew Abdo, CEO of the Australian Open organizer, hinted at the possibility of early rounds switching from best-of-five to best-of-three sets at Grand Slam events. However, several players remain attached to the traditional format. Frances Tiafoe, a US Open semi-finalist, acknowledged the difficulty of five-set matches but stressed their importance to the sport's history and spectacle.
The issue is not unique to the US Open; Australian Open has also faced criticism for late finishes, while Wimbledon enforces an 11 p.m. curfew and the French Open limits night sessions to a single match, illustrating varied approaches among the Grand Slams.
Tournament organizers defended the scheduling by pointing to the exceptional level of competition, noting a day with four intense matches involving several final-set tiebreaks. They expressed a willingness to review scheduling options while emphasizing that the focus should remain on the athletes’ performances.
Players such as Jessica Pegula have raised concerns about the broader implications of late finishes, citing challenges for player recovery, fan attendance, media coverage, and support staff. Pegula questioned whether earlier start times or alternative scheduling could better balance the needs of all stakeholders.
As discussions continue, the US Open faces the complex task of preserving the excitement of its night sessions while addressing concerns about player welfare, audience engagement, and logistical realities.