Last year, the Australian Open made a similar decision to Roland Garros. The Melbourne tournament was extended by one day, and tennis players competed from Sunday instead of Monday. Extending the event allows for the reorganization of the first round and gives tennis players more rest. For some time, Iga Świątek emphasized that she did not understand why so many matches were held at night.
The Americans have decided to take a similar step. “After a third consecutive year of extraordinary interest and record attendance in 2024, the US Open main draw competition will be expanded to 15 days in 2025. This year’s US Open will feature the first weekend start of the main draw in the Open era, with competition beginning on Sunday, August 24 and running through Sunday, September 7,” the US Open website says.
“With more main draw days scheduled than ever before and Fan Week featuring six days of free admission to the grounds prior to the main draw, the 2025 US Open is set to provide the most fan access in the event’s 145-year history. The full three-week US Open will take place from August 18 to September 7 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York,” organizers said.
Wimbledon thus becomes the only Grand Slam tournament to be played in the traditional two-week model. The US Open is also counting on increased revenue from the tournament. The Australian Open increased the number of sessions on the three main courts from 47 to 52. It will be similar in New York.
