US Open faces criticism over record-late match finish

The US Open is facing intense criticism following a quarterfinal match between Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz that concluded at 3:33 AM local time. This marks the latest finish in the tournament's 145-year history.

Tennis legends and professionals have voiced concerns regarding athlete welfare and the sustainability of current scheduling. Martina Navratilova stated, “This is not right and it is not normal,” suggesting that night sessions should be limited to a single singles match to prevent such extreme delays. Alberto Lledó, Alcaraz’s physical trainer, also warned that starting five-set matches at 11:00 PM is “not healthy for the health of an athlete.”

Critics argue that the current format, which often schedules both men's and women's singles matches in the evening session, creates a domino effect when matches run long. This scheduling pressure is being linked to a broader trend of player fatigue and injuries across the professional circuit.