Why is the U.S. Open Delayed Tonight? When Will Matches Start Again?

The U.S. Open faced a weather disruption Sunday night, as rain swept through Flushing Meadows and forced several matches to suspend or be postponed at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The heavy showers, which began around 8:11 p.m. ET, caught grounds crews off guard and left fans in the outer grounds waiting for an uncertain delay.

The break in play came just minutes after lighter rain was reported, signaling a rapid shift in conditions. Organizers estimated the delay would last 40 to 60 minutes, but outdoor delays at the US Open can often extend when storms linger.

The National Weather Service predicted a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. on Sunday night, with a low around 70 degrees and southwest wind near 6 mph. However, conditions improved considerably by Monday, with only a 20 percent chance of showers before 5 p.m. and a high near 82 degrees.

Several top players were affected by the rain delays, including World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who withdrew due to a knee injury, and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who returned from a wrist issue. The rain primarily impacted outer-court grinders, whose first-round matches now face an uncertain future. The suspension hit the depth of the draw, with matches like Thiago Tirante vs. Adrian Mannarino, Aleksandar Vukic vs. Rei Sakamoto, and others put on hold.