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

sportsAug 31, 2026222,166

Venus Williams' first-round match against Sofia Kenin at the 2026 US Open did not begin until after midnight on August 30 after Novak Djokovic's first-round match against Mariano Navone turned into a five-set marathon that started after 7 PM and lasted well over four hours. Tennis journalists Ben Rothenberg and Jose Morgado publicly criticized the scheduling, with Rothenberg writing "A night session should never put a best-of-five match before a best-of-three match" and Morgado predicting the Williams match would start around 10:30 or 11 PM. Multiple fans also faulted the tournament for starting night sessions at 7 PM when men's best-of-five matches can run extremely long and said organizers could have slotted additional matches between day and night sessions. Djokovic lost to Navone 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, ending his bid for a record 25th major and handing Navone a first-round upset. Navone said the win was "the best thing I’ve felt on a court" and noted he needed to recover because it was almost midnight. The late start for Williams renewed criticism of US Open scheduling on Day 1 and left Navone set to face either Matteo Berrettini or Stan Wawrinka in round two.

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

12318h ago

weirderisgood.bsky.social1

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

Kitten2501

You're doing a great job!

Shanlon Wu

@shanlonwu.com

An American moment at US Open practice - Venus Williams & Mayor Mamdani -

746Yesterday

wantshoes7.bsky.social12

I thought it was video of them playing each other. 🤷🏻

JeffJL4

I'm giving that point to Mayor Mamdani. And people said it couldn't be done.

repeet11.bsky.social3

Shoot. I was looking for them rallying on the court...

rugger6300.bsky.social3

When does he take Center Court, steal the trophy, and make the players uncomfortable? Oh yeah, normal politicians don't do that.

🐸 Joshua Schipper 🐸2

Crazy how much bigger tennis courts are than they look like on TV

Linnea/Classy2

The way this was worded I thought he would be playing.

Quoting this

Matt2

He's never seen a camera he doesn't like.

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]

284h 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.

Greg Jericho

@grogsgamut.bsky.social

Craig Tilley takes over the US Open and immediately the scheduling issues of the Aus Open occurs

203h 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 ...

194h 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.

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 🥹

153h ago

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

114h 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

164h 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

105h 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.

95h ago

BadToss

@badtoss.bsky.social

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

105h 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!

105h ago