The US Open Tennis Tournament is Adding a 15th Day, Starting on a Sunday in 2025
New Era for the U.S. Open
The U.S. Open is expanding to 15 days this year, shifting to a Sunday start for the first time in the Open era that began in 1968. Fans who subscribed for ticket information from the USTA were informed of the change for the season’s last Grand Slam tennis tournament — and its new dates of August 24 to September 7 — via emails sent Wednesday. The U.S. Tennis Association confirmed the additional day of main-draw action for the 2025 tournament in a news release.
A Global Trend
The extra day puts the U.S. Open in line with the Australian Open, which switched its start from Monday to Sunday a year ago, and the French Open, which was the first tennis major to make the move when it added a 15th day in 2006. This move gives the U.S. Open a chance to increase revenue via ticket sales and get more exposure for the sport. The just-concluded Australian Open, for example, has set attendance records in both of its 15-day editions.
No Further Adjustments to the Singles Main Draw Schedule
The first round at Flushing Meadows will once again be spread over three days — Sunday, Monday, Tuesday — but otherwise, the USTA said, “No further adjustments to the singles main draw schedule after the first round are planned.” Under the old 14-day format, the tournament completed the opening round across three days until 2015, when it was cut back to two.
A Contrast to Wimbledon
This move leaves Wimbledon as the last Grand Slam event that begins on a Monday and has action on just 14 days. As it is, the grass-court tournament only is that long because the All England Club added play on the middle Sunday in 2022; before that, with that traditionally an off day, there were only 13 days of play at the oldest of the tennis majors.
Players’ Reactions
By now, players are used to Sunday starts at Slams, but when the French Open started the 15-day trend, some — including Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova, who both played on that initial Sunday in 2006 — were vocal about not loving the switch.
Maria Sharapova’s Reaction
“[I] asked if I could play later. The answer was, ‘You’re playing Sunday, fourth match,’” Sharapova said at the time. “How did it make me feel? Well, it doesn’t make you feel great when you know that the French federation, all they’re thinking about is selling tickets, making money and about (French) players. I mean, can’t be too happy about that.”
Conclusion
The U.S. Open’s decision to add a 15th day, starting on a Sunday, is a move that aligns with global trends and provides more opportunities for fans to attend the tournament. With the potential for increased revenue and exposure, this change is likely to have a positive impact on the sport.
FAQs
* When does the U.S. Open start in 2025?
The U.S. Open will start on August 24, 2025.
* How many days will the tournament last?
The tournament will last 15 days.
* Will the schedule be adjusted after the first round?
No, the USTA has stated that there will be no further adjustments to the singles main draw schedule after the first round.
