Entertainment

US Open late finishes spark player recovery and scheduling concerns

Tournament scheduling has forced competitors into early morning finishes, according to BBC News.

Updated Sep 11, 2026 · 10:50 UTC1 reports

The short version

Several US Open matches have extended into the early morning hours, breaking tournament records for late starts and finishes.[BBC News]
Ben Shelton completed a quarter-final win at 3:34am, while Alexander Zverev reported going to sleep as late as 6:45am.[BBC News]
Fitness experts and former players warn that severe sleep disruption creates unfair competitive advantages for opponents who play earlier in the day.[BBC News]

Ben Shelton's quarter-final victory over Carlos Alcaraz concluded at 3:34am on Wednesday, marking the latest finish in US Open history.[BBC News]
Alexander Zverev stated that he went to bed as late as 6:45am during the tournament.[BBC News]
Venus Williams and Sofia Kenin began their first-round match at 12:13am, setting a record for the latest start time in tournament history.[BBC News]
Fitness expert Matt Little stated that opponents playing earlier in the day gain a significant recovery advantage from a full evening of rest.[BBC News]
Martina Navratilova asserted that the tournament's late-night finishes are neither normal nor acceptable.[BBC News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.