Empty seats, tired stars: The US Open’s post-2 a.m. finishes spark a pushback

The U.S. Open tennis championships found themselves in a post-2 a.m. finish frenzy this year, leaving players and fans questioning whether the late-night schedule has become too extreme. With three matches concluding after 2 a.m. during the tournament's first six days, plus two more extending beyond 1 a.m., concerns have been mounting about the impact on players' well-being and the overall atmosphere of the event.

Alexander Zverev, a German player who recently battled Quentin Halys to a five-set victory in the second round, acknowledged the fatigue among participants. After wrapping up his match, Zverev told reporters, "Everybody’s tired. Everybody wants to go to sleep." This sentiment echoed throughout the tournament as players grappled with the implications of the extended schedule.

The U.S. Open has long been known for its electrifying night matches, drawing fans eager to witness tennis under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium. However, the record-breaking late finishes have raised questions about the long-term effects on the players and whether the city that never sleeps has gone a little overboard this year.

Some athletes, like third-ranked woman Jessica Pegula, voiced their concerns, stating, "You have to wonder if it’s really the right thing for players to be finishing at 2 a.m., especially when it’s not like I’m watching on TV. I’m sleeping. Some people stay, but there is a lot of people that need to go home."

Even Wimbledon and the French Open have implemented stricter curfews to address similar issues, with Wimbledon setting an 11 p.m. limit and the French Open scheduling just one match per night. The U.S. Open, renowned for its late finishes, may have taken things to an extreme this time around.