Sunday Starts at the U.S. Open: Tradition Broken or Smart Move?

A Sunday Start at the U.S. Open: Game-Changer or Misstep?

For decades, Grand Slams had a rhythm we all got used to—players arriving, practice courts buzzing, and then the tournament officially kicking off on a Monday. But in tennis, tradition is never as safe as it seems. Just ask Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova. Nearly 20 years ago, when the French Open became the first Slam to experiment with a Sunday start, both legends were clear about one thing: they weren’t fans of the early kickoff. Fast-forward to 2025, and here we are again—except this time, the U.S. Open has joined the Sunday club.

Fans flocked into Flushing Meadows this past Sunday morning, filling the grounds earlier than usual, buzzing with excitement. But while the crowd loved the idea of an extra day of tennis, not every player was on board. In fact, for some, it felt like a tradition-breaking move that didn’t sit right.

Jordan Thompson Isn’t Holding Back

Australian pro Jordan Thompson, who’s cracked the top 30 in singles and even reached as high as No. 3 in doubles, didn’t sugarcoat his feelings.

• “I hate the Sunday start,” Thompson admitted bluntly. “Tournaments don’t start on Sunday; they finish on Sunday. Pretty sure no player would like it, particularly me.”

Ironically, he was scheduled to take the court against Corentin Moutet on—you guessed it—Sunday. And his frustration isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about rhythm. Tennis is a sport of routine. Players build their schedules around practice days, recovery days, and that all-important Monday launch. Throwing off that balance, Thompson argued, messes with players’ preparation and even their mindset.

Why the Switch?

So, why the sudden push to start earlier? Well, one word sums it up: money.

Adding a 15th day of singles to the U.S. Open schedule does two things:

1. Fans get more opportunities – More matches mean more ticket sales, more concessions, and more merchandise moving.

2. Broadcasters win big – Weekend slots mean higher TV ratings, prime advertising dollars, and a chance to hook a bigger global audience.

USTA spokesman Brendan McIntyre broke it down pretty clearly: the change “provides more fans the opportunity to see main draw singles competition in person, but also gives fans around the globe the opportunity to watch … on a weekend day and night.”

And if you follow the money trail, it’s hard to argue. This year’s U.S. Open prize pool hit a record-shattering $85 million, with each singles champion pocketing $5 million. That’s the biggest payday in tennis history, and it’s not a coincidence that these expanded schedules have aligned with massive prize money hikes.

Pegula Calls Out the Communication Gap

But here’s the thing—players aren’t just frustrated about the disruption. They’re frustrated about how decisions get made.

Jessica Pegula, a top American star and one of the sport’s most vocal leaders, wasn’t thrilled about the rollout. She pointed out that players often get asked for feedback, but when they actually give it, the follow-through is weak.

• “A lot of times, they ask for player feedback and when we do respond, they don’t listen to anything we say,” Pegula said.

Earlier this year, Pegula joined 19 other players in signing a letter to the Grand Slam organizers. Their demands? Better communication, stronger commitment to player welfare, and a fairer share of revenue. To her, the Sunday start was just another example of tennis bosses prioritizing business while leaving athletes out of the loop.

Not Everyone Hates It

Now, before we paint the whole locker room with the same brush, not every player is against the Sunday debut. Take Frances Tiafoe, for instance. The charismatic American—seeded 17th this year—sees both sides of the coin.

“I mean, I get it,” Tiafoe admitted. “Why not? If you can make money on a day and get the guys out there, and we’re already all here anyway on what used to be kind of a dead day … it’s not a bad thing. But the two days off that early in a Slam? It’s a little weird.”

That last point is crucial. In a Slam, players usually live by an every-other-day rhythm. Win a match, rest, recover, and go again. But with a Sunday start, someone who plays their opener right away could be left waiting until Wednesday for Round 2. That’s a rhythm-breaker that can feel awkward, especially in a high-pressure tournament.

A Growing Trend Across Tennis

Let’s not forget—the U.S. Open isn’t the first to go this route. The French Open jumped in back in 2006, despite Federer and Sharapova’s protests. Earlier this year, the Australian Open joined the club, kicking off its first-ever Sunday start in 2024.

And that leaves just one holdout: Wimbledon. For now, the All England Club is sticking to its classic Monday start. But in a sport where tradition and innovation are constantly butting heads, you have to wonder—how long before Wimbledon makes the switch too?

The Bigger Picture: Tennis Is Stretching Out

Beyond the Grand Slams, this shift ties into a broader trend: longer tournaments. Some of the ATP and WTA’s biggest non-Slam events have been stretched into 12-day formats, giving fans more matches and organizers more revenue.

Officials love to point out that these changes have fueled higher prize money across the sport. But from the players’ side, it often feels like the expansion is happening without enough input from the ones actually competing. And if the Sunday start proves anything, it’s that the tug-of-war between business and athletes isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

So, What’s Next?

Whether you see it as progress or a money grab, one thing’s undeniable: Sunday starts are here to stay, at least for now. Fans benefit, networks benefit, and the prize pool grows—but the tension between organizers and athletes continues to simmer under the surface.

The real question is this: Will players’ voices ever truly be at the center of tennis’ decision-making? Or will changes like this keep happening from the top down, with athletes forced to adapt after the fact?

Key Takeaways

• Tradition vs. Change: Tennis has always started Slams on Monday, but the Sunday start is breaking that norm.

• Players Divided: Jordan Thompson and Jessica Pegula aren’t fans, while Frances Tiafoe is more open-minded.

• Big Money Factor: Record prize pools—$85M at this U.S. Open—are a major reason behind the change.

• Fan Experience Wins: Extra matches mean more tickets, more access, and prime-time weekend viewing.

• Future of the Game: Wimbledon is now the only Slam holding on to Monday starts. For how long?