Late Night Tennis Debate
Carlos Alcaraz Urges Grand Slam Organizers to Curb Late Night Matches
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Key Points
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The U.S. Open schedules one men’s and one women’s night-session match each evening, with the first intended to start shortly after 7 p.m. This year, two quarterfinal day matches that went to final-set tiebreaks pushed the first night match to about 8:20 p.m., setting off the delay that led to Alcaraz and Shelton’s late finish.
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The 3:33 a.m. finish extended a recent run of record-breaking overnight matches: Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner had set the previous U.S. Open record with a 2:50 a.m. finish in 2022, while Novak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti’s 2024 French Open match ended at about 3:06 a.m.
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Shelton went on to beat Frances Tiafoe in his next match and reach his first Grand Slam final, where he lost in four sets to top seed Alexander Zverev.
Carlos Alcaraz is demanding Grand Slam organizers stop scheduling matches into the early morning after his U.S. Open quarterfinal ended at 3:33 a.m., the latest finish in tournament history Middle East Online. The seven-time Grand Slam champion said the schedule gives players too little recovery time and harms the sport by keeping fans away Rediff.
Alcaraz called for an 11 p.m. cutoff at all four majors — a rule Wimbledon already enforces Daily Hunt. USTA director Craig Tiley defended the scheduling but acknowledged he hasn't heard a workable alternative Middle East Online.
How the U.S. Open Match Ran Past Dawn
The U.S. Open schedules one men's and one women's night match each evening, starting around 7 p.m. Middle East Online. But two quarterfinal matches that went to final-set tiebreaks pushed the first night session to 8:20 p.m., triggering a cascade of delays Middle East Online. Alcaraz and Shelton's match followed, stretching five sets into the early morning.
A Growing Pattern of Overnight Tennis
The 3:33 a.m. finish broke records set just two years ago Daily Hunt. In 2022, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner's U.S. Open match ended at 2:50 a.m. Daily Hunt. The 2024 French Open saw Novak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti finish around 3:06 a.m., showing the problem spans all four majors Beninwebtv.
Why Late Finishes Hurt Players and Fans
Alcaraz argued that late-night matches leave athletes with insufficient recovery time before their next match Beninwebtv. This can give fresh opponents a real advantage. The scheduling also means most fans cannot watch live — either in the stadium or on television Rediff. Wimbledon's 11 p.m. rule proves an alternative exists.
Shelton Advances; Alcaraz's Call for Change Continues
Despite the brutal loss, Ben Shelton went on to beat Frances Tiafoe and reach his first Grand Slam final. He lost to top seed Alexander Zverev in four sets Middle East Online. Alcaraz's push for reform has gained support from other players and continues to pressure organizers to act.
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