Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz has called for strict scheduling limits in professional tennis, proposing a hard cut-off time of 11 p.m. to prevent matches from stretching deep into the morning hours.
Alcaraz Urges 11 P.M. Curfew Following Historic US Open Late-Night Matches
The debate over tournament scheduling intensified after the recent US Open in New York, where Alcaraz reached the quarterfinals before falling to American player Ben Shelton. That tournament featured multiple matches finishing well past midnight, highlighted by Alcaraz’s clash against Shelton, which concluded at 3:33 a.m. local time—marking the latest-finishing match in tournament history.
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“I think it’s too late to finish that late,” Alcaraz told reporters in the mixed zone ahead of the Laver Cup’s opening day. “Many people stayed for our match, but if it had been played earlier, the court would have been full. I would like this to change a bit, with an 11 p.m. limit to finish or something like that, I think it would be better.”
Impact on Player Recovery and Tournament Logistics
While the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has implemented measures to curb the frequency of overnight finishes, late-night matches remain a recurring issue across the professional circuit. These protracted schedules create immediate complications for athletes, who face mandatory post-match media duties and physical recovery protocols before attempting to sleep, sometimes with matches scheduled for the following day.
Alcaraz noted that earlier start times would improve stadium attendance and safeguard athlete health.
Wimbledon’s Precedent and a Congested Tour Calendar
Among the sport’s premier events, only Wimbledon enforces a strict curfew to comply with local regulations protecting nearby residents, mandating that play must halt by 11 p.m. local time.
The scheduling debate coincides with broader concerns raised by players regarding the length of the tennis season. Alcaraz, who missed four months of competition due to injury, has previously voiced reservations about playing a full slate of tournaments amidst an increasingly congested calendar, exacerbated by the expansion of two-week Masters 1000 events.
Alcaraz is set to close out the first day of the Laver Cup in London, partnering with Czech player Jakub Menšík in the tournament’s doubles action.
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