Famed for its round-the-clock energy, New York has certainly lived up to its restless reputation during this edition of the US Open.
Multiple fixtures have commenced late into the evening and wrapped up in the small hours of the morning, reinforcing the metropolis’s status as a haven for night owls.
However, when athletes like men’s semi-finalists Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev are turning in just as Manhattan’s early-morning commuters begin their day, concerns regarding competitive equity naturally emerge.
Out of the five matches played by top-seeded Zverev over the last two weeks, three have concluded well after 1:00 am.
“Over this past week, I haven’t gotten to sleep until as late as 6:45 am, which has left me feeling somewhat jet-lagged,” Zverev commented.
“It honestly feels like I am competing in Melbourne while physically being in New York.”
His upcoming semi-final clash on Friday against Karen Khachanov—scheduled for no earlier than 15:00 local time (20:00 BST)—will mark the first daytime appearance for the German player during this tournament.
In comparison, the unseeded Khachanov has avoided playing past midnight entirely. Furthermore, he enjoys a bit more recovery time since his quarter-final duel with Alexander Blockx wrapped up just prior to 19:00 local time on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the eighth-seeded American Shelton did not secure his quarter-final triumph over Carlos Alcaraz until 3:34 am on Wednesday morning.
Shelton’s next opponent is the 11th seed, Frances Tiafoe, who completed his own quarter-final match around 19:00 on Tuesday after defeating fellow American Alex Michelsen in a grueling five-set thriller.
“An opponent who finished their match earlier in the day holds a significant edge, as they benefit from a full evening of relaxation and a proper night of rest,” explained Matt Little, former long-serving physical trainer for Andy Murray, in an interview with BBC Sport.
“It is a highly relatable scenario—suffering through even a single night of poor sleep creates a compounding negative effect that impacts you for several days afterward.”
