US Open: As Venus Williams falls in a match that ends at 2 a.m., the sport must examine its scheduling problem

Key Points:

• Venus Williams played her US Open first-round match against Sofia Kenin after midnight, marking the latest start and finish for a first-round match in tournament history, ultimately losing 6-2, 7-6 (8-6).
• Williams, currently ranked No. 618 and with a 0-12 record this year, has been granted wild cards despite declining competitiveness, raising questions about the appropriateness of her continued participation in Grand Slam singles events.
• The US Open and other Grand Slam tournaments face ongoing scheduling challenges due to unpredictable match lengths and broadcast considerations, often resulting in matches extending late into the night or early morning.
• Starting matches after midnight is unfair to fans, players, and officials, and detracts from the event's atmosphere, especially when featuring former champions like Williams in near-empty stadiums.
• While no perfect solution exists, the article calls for tennis authorities and broadcasters to address the issue seriously and prevent matches from starting at such late hours in the future.