Carlos Alcaraz has expressed disappointment regarding the scheduling of his US Open quarterfinal match against Ben Shelton, which concluded at 3:33 a.m. local time, marking the latest finish in the tournament’s history. The match lasted four hours and 28 minutes, with Shelton ultimately winning in a tightly contested five-set thriller.
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In comments made before his participation in the Laver Cup, Alcaraz stated that the match should have started earlier, suggesting a 7 or 8 p.m. start time would have maintained a full stadium. He noted that many fans likely had to leave early due to the late hour. Alcaraz reflected, "A lot of people had to miss that match because of the schedule, because of the time."
Despite the loss, Alcaraz left the court smiling. Shelton's victory paved the way for him to reach his first Grand Slam final, where he faced Alexander Zverev, a teammate of Alcaraz’s at the upcoming Laver Cup.
The US Open saw several matches extend into the early morning, prompting discussions among fans about the appropriateness of such scheduling. While some agree with Alcaraz’s viewpoint, others argue that late-night matches add to the tournament’s allure.
Alcaraz also expressed gratitude for his performance at the US Open after returning from a five-month injury layoff. He described his experience during the tournament, stating, "I was out for five months without playing an official match. I was struggling... To be able to play four matches at a pretty good level, and then the quarterfinal against Ben, was a gift for me."
Following his run in New York, Alcaraz has arrived in London for the Laver Cup, where he has already begun practicing with Zverev.