2 hrs ago
Alcaraz Calls For Grand Slam Changes After Late-Night Exit
Carlos Alcaraz wants tennis matches at major tournaments to finish earlier.
His US Open match against Ben Shelton ended at 3:33 in the morning.
He said players may not sleep until several hours later, leaving them less time to recover.
He also said many fans cannot stay or watch television so late.
Wimbledon already has an 11 p.m.
stopping time.
The other three Grand Slam tournaments do not have the same stated limit.
One possible solution is making matches shorter.
Andre Agassi disagrees with changing the five-set format because he thinks winning a Grand Slam should be especially difficult.
Carlos Alcaraz urged tennis officials to stop Grand Slam matches from finishing deep into the night.
His US Open quarter-final against Ben Shelton ended at 3:33 a.m. in New York, the latest finish in tournament history.
Alcaraz said late finishes harm player recovery, reduce television audiences and prevent some fans from watching.
Wimbledon stops play at 11 p.m., while the US Open, French Open and Australian Open have no stated stopping time.
Andre Agassi defended five-set Grand Slam matches, arguing that major titles should require sustained effort rather than short-term momentum.
- Who
- Carlos Alcaraz called for changes, while Andre Agassi defended the five-set Grand Slam format; Ben Shelton defeated Alcaraz in the match discussed.
- What
- The debate concerns late-night finishes at Grand Slam tournaments and whether matches should be shortened or otherwise rescheduled.
- Where
- The match took place in New York, and Alcaraz made his comments in London.
- When
- Alcaraz's US Open match ended at 3:33 a.m. local time on a Wednesday; he spoke before this week's Laver Cup.
- Why
- Alcaraz said late finishes damage player recovery and reduce attendance and television audiences; Agassi said five-set matches preserve the distinction and history of Grand Slam competition.
Earlier, Shorter Matches
Preserving Five-Set Grand Slams
Match scheduling
Earlier, Shorter Matches
Carlos Alcaraz said matches should not finish as late as 3:30 a.m. and argued that even midnight is too late.
Preserving Five-Set Grand Slams
Andre Agassi agreed that matches should not go so late but did not support changing the five-set Grand Slam tradition as a solution.
Match format
Earlier, Shorter Matches
Shortening Grand Slam matches to best-of-three sets, or reducing the number of games needed to win a set, could help limit match length.
Preserving Five-Set Grand Slams
Agassi said five sets make Grand Slam victories more meaningful because players must win three sets rather than potentially winning through a brief run of form.
Effect on the sport
Earlier, Shorter Matches
Alcaraz said late scheduling causes fans to leave or miss matches and reduces the television audience.
Preserving Five-Set Grand Slams
Agassi argued that shortening matches could harm the history and distinctiveness of Grand Slam tennis.
Key facts
- Match result
- Ben Shelton defeated Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set US Open quarter-final.
- Finish time
- 3:33 a.m. local time in New York.
- Match duration
- Four hours and 28 minutes.
- US Open record
- The match was the latest finish in US Open history.
- Wimbledon cutoff
- Matches have an 11 p.m. local-time cutoff.
- Other Grand Slams
- The US Open, French Open and Australian Open do not have an allotted time to halt play.
- Suggested format changes
- Possible proposals include switching to best-of-three sets or reducing sets from six games to four.
Quotes
Carlos Alcaraz
Spanish tennis player and seven-time Grand Slam winner
“I absolutely believe we should have it (five sets). I believe it's possible to get lucky and win two out of three. I don't think you can get lucky and win three out of five. I think you really have to earn it. There should be a delineation between winning the Slams, the biggest tournaments, versus other weeks of the year.”
deccanchronicle.com
“For an athlete finishing at 3.30 in the morning, it means we had to leave the courts at 4.30, then back to the hotel. You don't go to bed until 6.30 or 7 in the morning. To recover for the next match, the person you play has an advantage.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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