Mixed Reactions to the US Open’s Sunday Start
The initiation of the US Open on Sundays has elicited mixed reactions among tennis professionals, a trend that was originally pioneered 20 years ago by the French Open. Notably, famed players like Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova have publicly expressed their discontent regarding this scheduling change. Now, the same hesitance is echoed by current competitors as the US Open adopts this early start.
Player Discontent
Jordan Thompson, an Australian player who has reached No. 26 in singles and No. 3 in doubles rankings, voiced his strong dislike of the Sunday commencement.
“I hate the Sunday start,”
Thompson stated, emphasizing that tournaments traditionally wrap up on Sundays rather than beginning then. He noted that this new format is not favored by the majority of players, especially himself.
As the tournament kicked off in Flushing Meadows, Thompson was set to compete against Corentin Moutet on Sunday. This year’s event marks a shift from the usual 14 days of singles matches to a stretched-out schedule of 15 days, a modification that many suspect is financially motivated.
Concerns from Top Seeds
Jessica Pegula, the No. 4 seed and last year’s US Open runner-up, also expressed dissatisfaction with the Sunday start. Pegula articulated that the initial days of a Slam are typically taxing for those players who compete the week prior to the event, adding,
“I don’t think a lot of players want that.”
Impact on Future Tournaments
The U.S. Tennis Association’s decision follows similar actions by the French Tennis Federation in 2006 and the Australian Open, which will also shift to a Sunday start in 2024. This leaves Wimbledon as the sole Grand Slam tournament starting on a Monday.
Pegula criticized the sport’s governing bodies for not adequately considering athlete feedback when it comes to significant format changes. She noted that many players feel their opinions are ignored despite attempts to communicate their concerns better, a sentiment echoed by 20 players who signed a letter earlier this year seeking improved dialogue regarding player welfare and earnings.
