‘It’s Not Ideal’ –Venus Calls Out Extremely Late US Open Start
Retold by Oddsrama · 31 August 2026
Venus Williams has aired her frustration over a record-breaking scheduling decision at the US Open, labeling her 12:13 a.m. first-round start as far from ideal. The tennis legend took on Sofia Kenin in the dead of night after waiting nearly five hours for a grueling Novak Djokovic versus Mariano Navone marathon to wrap up on Arthur Ashe Stadium. By the time Venus stepped on court, it was already past midnight, and play didn't conclude until after 2 a.m.—one of the latest finishes in tournament history, with fewer than 1,000 spectators still hanging around.
Williams suffered a straight-sets loss, 6-2, 7-6, extending her singles losing streak to 15 consecutive matches. Though the defeat stings, she'll get another crack at glory through doubles competition alongside her sister Serena. What caught Venus's attention more than the scoreline, though, was the sheer absurdity of competing at such an hour. She questioned whether any other professional sport would demand athletes perform at 1 or 2 a.m., calling out a clear need for better scheduling practices moving forward.
Despite the ungodly timing and the setback, Venus remained gracious about the tiny band of devoted fans who stuck it out until the bitter end. She acknowledged their energy kept her motivated through a difficult first-round outing. For bettors and form-watchers, this loss reinforces a concerning trend for the veteran, though the doubles draw with Serena offers a chance to build momentum as the tournament progresses. The scheduling mess also raises questions about how late-night tournaments impact player performance and betting markets—fatigue and rhythm disruption are real factors worth monitoring.
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