Venus Williams forced into late‑night US Open start after marathon match

sportsAug 31, 2026252,448

Novak Djokovic's five-set, four-plus-hour first-round match against Mariano Navone at Arthur Ashe Stadium on August 30 pushed Venus Williams' scheduled first-round match versus Sofia Kenin to after midnight. Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg wrote that majors should not schedule best-of-five men's matches before best-of-three women's matches, and insider Jose Morgado called the Day 1 scheduling

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani

@mayor.nyc.gov

From watching Venus Williams and Camila Osorio practice to meeting the workers who make it all possible — the final day of US Open Fan Week was unforgettable. I’m grateful to USTA & everyone behind the scenes at Fan Week for giving New Yorkers public, affordable access to world-class tennis.

Mayor Mamdani shakes hands with a US Open fan at Arthur Ashe Stadium

217845d ago

weirderisgood.bsky.social4

Mr. Mayor: It’s OK to NOT wear a suit to a sporting event and a camp-out!❤️

Kitten2502

You're doing a great job!

Greg Jericho

@grogsgamut.bsky.social

Venus Williams only gets into tournaments (any tournament) via a Wild Card. She is ranked 618 in the world. She has now lost 14 first round matches in a row. She also "won" US$140,000 by getting this wild card.

4645d ago

Greg Jericho48

Over those 14 tournaments - which she did not have to qualify to play in, she has earned US$494,583 by losing every match. I'd keep playing to were I her. Hell of a nice retirement fund.

SallyABL35

Sure. Maybe prizemoney should start with a 1st round win, not just an appearance in round 1. She has had her run and is taking a spot from an 'up and coming' player who would greatly benefit. I think its selfish.

Kevin MacKenzie2

And sadly this denied a playing chance and experience to a more worthy up and coming young player!

Ella Brockway

@ellabrockway.bsky.social

If you think Venus Williams v Sofia Kenin starting at midnight on Ashe after a Djokovic five-setter is the craziest the U.S. Open can get, wait until you see Tuesday on Armstrong [when Gael Monfils’s potential-last-ever-slam-match is five sets and Alex Eala goes on at 1am]

3045d ago

Quoting this

Mark Taylor11

🎾 #Tennis #USOpen #USOpen2026 👀 I have seen Tennis being played much later than this at the US Open. I'm assuming Venus and Sofia are just dying to get out there now and get it over with.

The Tennis Letter

@thetennisletter.bsky.social

Venus Williams steps on court to face Kenin at the US Open 96th Grand Slam appearance, the most in the Open Era 7 Grand Slam singles titles, 4 Olympic Gold medals She’s been playing tennis professionally for 32 years 46 years old… Incredible 🥹

2545d ago

Mark Taylor

@emarktaylor.bsky.social

🎾 #Tennis #USOpen #USOpen2026 Venus Williams and Sofia Kenin are about to be introduced on Armstrong. It may be midnight in NY but it's 4pm here - time for me to have a glass of wine and enjoy the match ...

2145d ago

Magenta Rocks2

I'll be asleep before the end of the first set. LOL

Luvtennis1

Let us know how it turns out- Getting a little sleepy here.

Dennis Kramb1

what's your prediction? do you think Venus can pull off a win?

Quoting this

Bridgie3

Beddddd...not watching another upset...0500hr here 😌

TruBlu2

Should not start this match at midnight.

Raymond Norman

@raymondnorman.bsky.social

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

1744d ago

digger69-51.bsky.social1

Why don’t she just retire for good? Had her time, just taking a wildcard spot for an up and coming player. She’s terrible, lost her last 14 matches. Must need the attention and the money I guess.

Tennis Updates

@tennisupdates.bsky.social

Venus Williams vs Sofia Kenin will take place on Armstrong. Wondered if they may do this, Ashe ticketholders got enough out of their money already and can get into the upper decks of Armstrong. Based off research I did this would only be the 3rd post midnight start in US Open history

1345d ago

Erika

@erikaxtc.bsky.social

Since this Djokovic/Navone match is going to a fifth set, please send Venus Williams home so she can sleep and give her a decent match time tomorrow. Playing past midnight is crazy and disrespectful. #USOpen

1745d ago

Ground Pass Podcast - A Tennis Podcast

@groundpass.bsky.social

3 hours and 13 mins in Novak Djokovic leads 2 sets to Navone’s 1. It’s 10:34pm Venus Williams and Sofia Kenin won’t be starting before 11pm. Welcome to the city that never sleeps. #USOpen

1145d ago

Ken Fang -- Very Asian

@fangsbites.bsky.social

The way this Navone-Djokovic match is going, it may not end until after midnight which means the Venus Williams match won't get on court until very late. Holy frijoles.

945d ago

BadToss

@badtoss.bsky.social

I believe Venus Williams is entitled to compensation for being put on after this shit.🎾

1045d ago

Nathan

@nathandunbar.bsky.social

The scheduling at the US Open is abysmal. Making Venus play the last match of the night after a men’s match (best of 5 sets) in what could be her last singles appearance ever - terrible. At this pace she’ll likely start around midnight. The disrespect!

1045d ago