Retired American tennis star Andy Roddick used his “Served” podcast to push back against criticism of the U.S. Open’s late‑night schedule after Ben Shelton’s five‑set victory over Carlos Alcaraz concluded shortly after 3:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
Historic win for an American
Shelton’s triumph marked the first time an American man has defeated either Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner at a Grand Slam, and it secured at least one U.S. finalist for the 2026 tournament. The win followed Frances Tiafoe’s own five‑set quarterfinal victory, keeping the American presence strong as the event heads toward the semifinals.
Roddick’s response to the backlash
Roddick acknowledged the complaints about the early‑morning finish, saying, “I hear a lot of complaining. I don’t hear a lot of proposed solutions.” He emphasized the logistical challenge of moving 25,000 spectators in and out of Arthur Ashe Stadium responsibly, noting that every match except one goes to a match tiebreak.
He also recognized that a five‑hour match can test viewers’ patience, echoing concerns raised by sports podcaster Bill Simmons. “Starting earlier wasn’t possible because of Frances and Mickelson’s match,” Roddick explained, “so you have to have a night session at the US Open. It’s one of the things that we all love.”
Balancing tradition and practicality
While defending the tradition of long‑form matches, Roddick admitted there are practical arguments for a shorter format. He cited the inconvenience for staff working late and for fans who must rise before dawn to catch the final points. “I understand all the rational arguments,” he said, “but the sport’s endurance is part of its appeal.”
Roddick concluded that the sport would lose a defining characteristic if matches were shortened dramatically, asking, “If you take that away, can we lay that claim anymore? I don’t know.”
Looking ahead
On Friday, Tiafoe will meet Shelton on center court, setting up an all‑American semifinal that could lead to the first U.S. men’s singles champion since Roddick’s own victory in 2003.
The discussion around scheduling continues, but Roddick’s stance underscores a belief that the excitement of marathon matches outweighs the inconvenience of late‑night finishes.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
