Empty seats, tired stars: US Open’s late finishes sparks pushback
Players and spectators at the U.S. Open are expressing frustration over late-night match finishes, with several games extending past 2 a.m. The tournament's scheduling, driven by broadcast demands, is being compared unfavorably to other Grand Slams that implement curfews.
Why it matters
The issue highlights the tension between commercial broadcasting requirements and the physical well-being of athletes in professional sports.
NEW YORK (AP) — Alexander Zverev wasn’t in the mood for much conversation. With empty seats everywhere after he finished his U.S. Open first-round match in the early morning hours, he took two questions from reporters on the court and quickly wrapped it up. “I think everybody’s tired,” he said. “Everybody wants to go to sleep.” The city that never sleeps is going a little overboard this year. Players have long loved the electricity of night matches at the U.S. Open, where tennis under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium is a hallmark of the American Grand Slam tournament, with fans staying late and bringing plenty of energy. But with the tournament this year already setting a record with three post-2 a.m.
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