The ATP has criticised the United States Tennis Association’s decision to extend the US Open by a day next year to feature a Monday men’s singles final. The USTA bowed to player demands to introduce a day between the semi-finals and final of both men’s and women’s singles at the year’s final grand slam but has not fallen into line with the other major events. The Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon all play the semi-finals on Thursday and Friday, with the women’s final on Saturday and the men’s on Sunday. The USTA had been reluctant to change the US Open’s cherished ‘Super Saturday’, which featured both men’s semi-finals and the women’s final, with the men’s final then scheduled to be played the next day. But a combination of the schedule, the lack of a roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium and the often inclement late-summer weather in New York had forced the men’s final to be played on the third Monday for the last five years. The ATP, which represents both players and tournaments on the men’s tour, welcomed the introduction of a day in between semi-finals and final but believes the final should stay on Sunday. A statement read: “By modifying the schedule to allow a rest day between the semi-finals and the final, the US Open has recognised the incredible physical demands of men’s tennis. “However, the ATP and its players have made it clear to the US Open that we do not support a Monday final. “We strongly believe the US Open should keep a similar schedule to the other grand slams, with the men’s semi-finals completed by Friday and the final on Sunday.
