US Open 2025: Main draw extended to 15 days
What's the story
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has announced a 15-day main draw for the 2025 US Open, extending the traditional 14-day schedule.
Meanwhile, this time the tournament will start a day earlier than usual, with first-round matches scheduled to begin on Sunday, August 24.
Notably, this change is expected to allow an additional crowd of around 70,000 spectators on the opening day.
Here are more details.
Session details
New ticketed sessions introduced on opening day
The US Open 2025 will feature six new ticketed sessions on the opening day, including both day and night events at Louis Armstrong and Arthur Ashe Stadiums.
Meanwhile, the expansion follows three consecutive years of record-breaking attendance at the tournament in 2024, showing a high demand for access to these prestigious tennis matches.
Scheduling issues
Late-night matches spark scheduling concerns
The decision to extend the main draw comes after players raised concerns about scheduling.
In the past, matches would often go on until the wee hours of the morning.
For example, a third-round match in last year's US Open between Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry and Germany's Alexander Zverev ended after 2:30am local time.
Similarly, a match in 2022 featuring Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner continued till nearly 3am local time, calling for an extension in the main draw.
Criticism
Former World No.1 criticized late-night scheduling
Former World No. 1 Andy Murray, who retired after the 2024 Paris Olympics, previously criticized the organizers for their scheduling practices at last year's US Open.
He had called the situation "a total mess" and "amateurish," demanding improvements to avoid matches stretching into early morning hours.
However, Zverev suggested starting night sessions earlier could be a potential solution but refused to blame the organizers entirely for late match timings.
Twitter Post
Twitter post of a press release by the USTA
The US Open is now a 15 day main draw tournament pic.twitter.com/ulQtte4oAu
— Chris Oddo (@TheFanChild) January 29, 2025
Recent winners
A look at the recent winners at the US Open
The recent winners of the US Open boasts a stellar lineup.
In 2024, World No. 1s Sinner and Sabalenka were the winners of the singles titles, with both superstars lifting their first trophies at the Flushing Meadows.
Meanwhile in 2023, 19-year-old Coco Gauff won her first Grand Slam title.
In the men's championship, Novak Djokovic won his record-tying 24th major singles title.
In 2022, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek won their maiden US Open titles.
Duo
Sinner and Keys won the season-opening Australian Open
World number one, Jannik Sinner won the 2025 Australian Open after beating Alexander Zverev in the final on Rod Laver Arena. The top seed claimed a 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 win in the men's singles final that ran for over two hours.
Meanwhile, Madison Keys won her maiden Grand Slam singles title beating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling final.
Meanwhile, Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion was forced to dig deep before losing 3-6, 6-2, 5-7.