Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Venus Williams Criticizes Extremely Late US Open Start
Venus Williams played Sofia Kenin at the US Open.
Their match started after midnight, which Venus said was much too late.
They had to wait because another match lasted more than four and a half hours.
Venus lost the first set but played much better in the second.
She had several chances to win that set.
However, she could not use those chances, including four set points in the tiebreak.
Sofia Kenin won the match in two sets.
Venus said Kenin played very well and that the late start was not good for either player.
Venus Williams lost to Sofia Kenin in the US Open first round, 2-6, 7-6(6).
The match began at 12:15 a.m. at Arthur Ashe Stadium after Novak Djokovic’s 4-hour, 36-minute loss.
Williams, 46, said she had never played a match so late and called the scheduling less than ideal.
Williams held seven set points in the second set but could not convert any of them.
Williams said Kenin played well and that the result reflected strong tennis rather than simply giving the match away.
- Who
- Venus Williams and Sofia Kenin, both American tennis players.
- What
- Kenin defeated Williams in the first round of the US Open, 2-6, 7-6(6).
- When
- The match started at 12:15 a.m. local time.
- Where
- Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
- Why
- The match began late because Novak Djokovic’s preceding match against Mariano Navone lasted 4 hours and 36 minutes.
- Tournament
- US Open
- Round
- First round
- Matchup
- Venus Williams vs. Sofia Kenin
- Score
- Sofia Kenin won 2-6, 7-6(6)
- Start time
- 12:15 a.m. local time
- Venue
- Arthur Ashe Stadium
- Preceding match
- Novak Djokovic lost to Mariano Navone after 4 hours and 36 minutes