Empty Seats, Tired Stars: The US Open's Post-2 a.m. Finishes Spar

Late nights, empty seats, tired stars: Post-2 a.m. U.S. Open finishes spark pushback

Alexander Zverev wasn't in the mood for much conversation.

Empty seats, tired stars: The US Open's post-2 a.m. finishes spar

Alexander Zverev, of Germany, celebrates after defeating Quentin Halys, of France, in five sets in the the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, early Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Empty seats, tired stars: The US Open’s post-2 a.m. finishes spark a pushback

Late-night finishes are a hallmark of the U.S. Open. But so many matches going into the early morning hours this year have players wondering how much is too much Grand Slam tennis after midnight.