US Open Night Sessions set to remain unlike different tennis balls despite criticism from top players
Tennis NewsFriday, 18 August 2023 at 17:30
US Open tournament director Stacey Allaster has stated that night-time
matches at the mega-event will continue despite facing severe backlash.
Allaster, who previously worked as a WTA CEO, was quoted in
a report where she stated that the organisation will continue to evaluate the
night-time matches but they are set to continue this year despite criticism.
“Without question, late-night matches were heavily discussed
and reviewed after the 2022 US Open,” she said. “I think one of the challenges
that we just have as a reality of tennis, we are not defined by a start and an
end time.
“So that unpredictability of a match, sometimes we can have
a short match, or we can have that long five-hour match. So at the moment,
we’re staying the course with two night matches. We’ll continue to evaluate it.”
The mega-event, like many others, faced severe criticism
from different quarters, including the players about the start of evening matches.
One of the most vocal voices against such a move was the
23-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic who stated some time back that late-night
matches impact athletes performances, something that has been overlooked by
the authorities.
“Throughout my career, I have also experienced very late
match endings,” he said. “It doesn’t usually happen regularly, but from time to
time. And now many tournaments are introducing night sessions that they didn’t
have before.
“Tournaments seek to make more profit by selling tickets for
the day and night sessions and I think before it was played in full session.
Now, when the day session ends, they empty the stadium so that the people who
will be in the night session can enter.
“It seems good for the players, maybe it’s not ideal, but
you also have to find the balance to satisfy the fans. Tournaments are just
looking for more profit and income. The night sessions are more entertaining,
the people cheer more and the US Open night sessions are the most famous in
tennis.
“But I understand that if you have finals so late on a
consistent basis it’s not good because you have to wait all day to play. If you
get up early, you have to kill time before playing. It’s a challenge for the
players but I think one of the reasons we finished so late is because of the
break between the day session and the night session for the reasons I said.”
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- This article is SPOT ON!!!Rapunzel04-09-2026
- This article is SPOT ON!!!Rapunzel04-09-2026
- Is there no one in Pro Tennis willing to give this one some form of intervention before she crashes??
mandoist04-09-2026 - Double Standards for the male players? Gross. BTW: This "apology" reads like the one his lawyers wrote for him when he had to go to the Kangaroo Court for slapping his girlfriend around.mandoist04-09-2026
- From Day One, legalizing Sports Betting was never going to end well (for The Sport... not just the thousands who lose their livelihoods and bank accounts). We're not even close to the end of the damage this is causing.mandoist03-09-2026
- From Day One, legalizing Sports Betting was never going to end well (for The Sport... not the thousands who lose their livelihoods and bank accounts). We're not even close to the end of the damage this is causing.mandoist03-09-2026
- In her defense... she has no "defense" and likely could not articulate it if she did.mandoist03-09-2026
- Someone is not enjoying her gradual slide down the rankings, which became noticeable last season. BTW: That reporter's on to something familiar -- the effects of Social Media Stardom on one's Second Priority (Tennis). Shades of Bouchard, Giorgi, Raducanu, etc.mandoist03-09-2026
- Sabalenka seems so unhappy. When you get angry after every mistake you make on court, you’ve got some issues sweetie! She also does seem to be “partying” a lot if you follow her social media (I don’t lolol). Very immature personality.DaveyWavey03-09-2026
- The main difference for bigger names like Alcaraz, Sinner, Zverez, etc. is that they usually make it to the later stages of tournaments while 99% of the other players win a round or two and then move on to the next tournament. The bigger names are playing more, playing longer and therefore more injury issues. The money is great but it all comes with a price!DaveyWavey03-09-2026
Loading
