Late-Night US Open Controversy
Sofia Kenin defeats Venus Williams following record late-night US Open schedule.
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Key Points
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The Williams–Kenin match started at about 12:13 a.m. and finished just after 2 a.m., marking the latest start to a US Open match in history because Djokovic’s preceding marathon lasted 4 hours and 36 minutes; thousands of fans remained inside Arthur Ashe Stadium well past midnight.
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Williams entered the tournament as a wildcard for her 26th US Open main-draw appearance; she is 46 years old and was listed around 618th in the world, with wildcards totaling 12 for the season.
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Sofia Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, defeated Williams 6-2, 7-6 (8-6) after Williams mounted a late challenge in the second set, pushing it to a tiebreak that Kenin ultimately won.
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Williams publicly criticized the scheduling, saying the late start was not ideal and that there is room for improvement in how late matches are scheduled, particularly given the difficulty of playing at 1 a.m. or 2 a.m.
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Attendance figures underscored the issue, with reports that barely around 1,000 spectators remained by the end of the match as the night wore on.
Venus Williams exited the US Open in the first round after a record-breaking late-night match that started at 12:13 a.m. and ended just after 2 a.m. local time EssentiallySports. The 46-year-old wildcard lost to fellow American Sofia Kenin 6-2, 7-6, extending her losing streak to 15 consecutive singles defeats GBNews. The unprecedented late start came after AlJazeera reported Novak Djokovic's preceding marathon lasted over 4 hours, leaving thousands of fans still inside Arthur Ashe Stadium well past midnight.
Williams criticized the scheduling after her loss, saying the late start was "not ideal" for players or the crowd EssentiallySports. Only around 1,000 spectators remained by the end of the match as the night wore on. The controversy has reignited debate over how the US Open schedules late-night matches and their impact on player performance and fan experience.
The Most Delayed Match in US Open History
The Williams-Kenin match holds the record for the latest start time at a US Open AlJazeera. Djokovic's men's singles match preceding it ran 4 hours and 36 minutes, pushing the women's match deep into the night. Thousands of dedicated fans stayed in Arthur Ashe Stadium past midnight to watch Williams play in her 26th US Open main-draw appearance.
Kenin Edges Past a Fighting Williams in Two Sets
Sofia Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, defeated Williams in straight sets with a final score of 6-2, 7-6 CTVNews. Williams fought hard in the second set, pushing it to a tiebreak where Kenin prevailed 8-6. Despite being ranked around 618th in the world, the 46-year-old wildcard mounted a late charge and saved multiple match points before ultimately falling short.
Venus Calls Out Tournament Over Late-Night Scheduling
Williams spoke bluntly after the loss about the scheduling decision. "It's not ideal," she said, arguing that playing at 1 or 2 a.m. is difficult for athletes EssentiallySports. She suggested there is room for improvement in how the US Open manages late matches. Her comments reflect growing frustration from both players and fans over matches running deep into the night.
Williams's Streak Continues; Attendance Thins as Hours Pass
The loss marked Williams's 15th consecutive singles defeat GBNews. Attendance at Arthur Ashe Stadium dwindled as the match wore on past 2 a.m., with reports showing only around 1,000 spectators remained by the finish. The thinning crowd highlighted the real cost of ultra-late scheduling on both the tournament experience and the energy needed for top-level play.
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