US Open 2026 Scheduling Under Fire as Late-Night Matches Draw Criticism

The US Open 2026 has been full of surprises, with several established stars making early exits while a new generation of players continues to make its mark. However, the tournament’s scheduling has now become a major talking point, with criticism growing over matches being played well into the early hours. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has also voiced her displeasure over the increasingly late start times during the night sessions. Venus Williams, who entered this year’s tournament as a wild card, saw her campaign end in the opening round, with her match beginning at around 2 a.m. local time. The issue is even more significant in men’s singles, where best-of-five-set matches can stretch for several hours. Carlos Alcaraz’s quarterfinal against Ben Shelton began after 11 p.m. and lasted nearly four and a half hours, eventually finishing at 3:34 a.m. Alexander Zverev revealed that he stayed awake to watch the match before taking the court for his own quarterfinal.

Navratilova criticised the scheduling on social media, arguing that the night-session format needs to be reconsidered. She said starting a women’s match as late as 10 p.m. and then beginning a five-set men’s match around midnight creates difficulties for both players and spectators. The Arthur Ashe Stadium, the main venue for many high-profile US Open matches, traditionally attracts huge crowds during its prime-time night sessions and generates strong television viewership. However, when matches begin late, lengthy five-set contests can continue until the early morning. Former players have suggested that organisers could consider changing the composition of night sessions, including scheduling a singles match alongside a doubles encounter, to reduce the likelihood of matches starting around midnight.