Carlos Alcaraz Calls for Earlier Finish Times in Grand Slam Matches

Speaking in London ahead of the Laver Cup, Alcaraz highlighted that the four-hour, 28-minute match marked the latest finish in the tournament's history. In addition to his match, three other matches at the US Open ended after 2 a.m., with two more past midnight. Notably, Venus Williams participated in the latest-starting match, which began at 12:13 a.m.

Alcaraz expressed concern over the situation, stating, "I think it's too much. I would like to change the schedule a little with a maximum finish at 11:00 p.m., or whatever would be better." He believes that earlier finishes could attract more fans to major matches, saying, "If that match was played earlier, the court could have been packed."

While Wimbledon enforces an 11:00 p.m. curfew and the French Open limits its night sessions to one match, the US Open currently has no fixed cutoff but has indicated a willingness to assess scheduling options.

The conversation around scheduling is amplified by rising concerns among players about the crowded tennis calendar and insufficient recovery time. Andre Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam champion and Team World captain at the Laver Cup, emphasized the need for better protection of players' offseason, stating that both players and fans would benefit from a more structured break.

Agassi indicated that he does not seek to reduce events like the Laver Cup, which he praised. Instead, he believes that the focus should be on enabling top players to perform optimally.

As for Alcaraz, he is relishing his return to London after missing the grass-court season due to a wrist injury. After reaching the quarterfinals at the US Open, he expressed excitement about competing for Team Europe alongside players like Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud. Alcaraz mentioned, "For me, it is an honour to be here back in London," and appreciated the team atmosphere, saying it helps rejuvenate his love for the game.

The Laver Cup, once again hosted at The O2, evoked special memories, particularly as Ruud recalled Roger Federer's emotional final match there in 2022. Fery, a recent Wimbledon semifinalist, acknowledged the significance of participating in the event after a remarkable season.

Agassi noted the physical toll on players like Alcaraz, who faced a substantial break due to injury, illustrating the rigorous demands of the sport. As the Laver Cup runs through Sunday, Alcaraz continues to advocate for a more balanced approach to Grand Slam match scheduling.