Alcaraz's fitness trainer, Alberto Lledo, voiced serious health concerns over the late 3:33 AM finish of the Spaniard's quarter-final match.
A prominent member of Carlos Alcaraz's support staff has delivered a sharp message to US Open organizers following the Spanish star's grueling late-night defeat to American Ben Shelton. The criticism centers on the tournament's scheduling practices, which led to a historic early morning conclusion for a crucial quarter-final.
The highly anticipated match between Alcaraz and Shelton at Arthur Ashe Stadium commenced after 11 PM on a Tuesday evening and did not conclude until 3:33 AM on Wednesday, establishing a new tournament record for the latest ever finish time. Alcaraz ultimately fell to Shelton in a captivating five-set battle.
This unprecedented timing has ignited a broader debate regarding player welfare and tournament logistics, drawing significant backlash from within the tennis community, according to reporting by Tennis365.
Alcaraz's Trainer Slams Unhealthy US Open Match Times
Alberto Lledo, Alcaraz's dedicated fitness trainer, publicly stated that playing tennis so deep into the night "is anything but healthy for an athlete." Lledo took to Instagram to express his dismay, acknowledging the need for adaptation in professional sports but drawing a clear line.
"On some occasions, I know (I say this humbly) that performance is not synonymous with health," Lledo wrote. "We have to adapt to any circumstance, and whoever does it first gains a competitive edge, but starting a 5-set tennis match at 11pm is anything but healthy for an athlete."
His remarks underscore growing concerns about the physical toll such schedules take on elite competitors, especially when matches extend to their maximum duration.
US Open Scheduling Faces Widespread Criticism
The Alcaraz-Shelton encounter was the fourth match held on Arthur Ashe Stadium that Tuesday. All four matches stretched to a deciding set, with three ultimately resolved by a match tiebreak in the final set, contributing to the significant delays.
The tournament's approach to scheduling has drawn fire from other notable figures. Former Italian tennis star and Sky Italy commentator, Paolo Bertolucci, voiced his outrage on X (formerly Twitter). Bertolucci, who previously achieved a world No. 12 ranking and won six ATP Tour singles titles, declared, "They’ve decided to kill tennis."
Bertolucci continued his strong critique, stating, "Over four hours of a match that ends at 3:30 in the morning. Then they despair over absences due to injuries. Shame!!! Asking an athlete to perform at 3 am means pursuing a diabolical plan designed to destroy tennis." Germany's Alexander Zverev also previously questioned the US Open's "strange" scheduling decisions.
Alcaraz Reflects on Challenging US Open Quarter-Final
Despite the late-night defeat, Carlos Alcaraz offered a composed perspective on his US Open performance. Reflecting on his expectations for the tournament, the young Spaniard emphasized the importance of his well-being throughout the demanding competition.
"Well, as I said before the tournament began, my expectation was to go there, compete, play in these kinds of matches, for me, being healthy," Alcaraz stated. "So, it was close. It was close. So, I’m just a little bit disappointed about not getting the win, but I’m just happy. I’m just proud about myself, about how I fought."
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the record set by the Carlos Alcaraz-Ben Shelton match?
The quarter-final match between Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton set a new US Open record for the latest ever finish time, concluding at 3:33 AM on Wednesday after starting past 11 PM on Tuesday.
Who criticized the US Open's late-night scheduling?
Carlos Alcaraz's fitness trainer, Alberto Lledo, publicly criticized the scheduling, calling it "anything but healthy for an athlete." Former Italian tennis star Paolo Bertolucci and Germany's Alexander Zverev also voiced concerns.
What was Carlos Alcaraz's reaction after his loss to Ben Shelton?
Carlos Alcaraz expressed disappointment about not winning but conveyed pride in his fight and performance. He stated his pre-tournament goal was to compete and stay healthy, which he felt he achieved despite the loss.
Why is late-night US Open scheduling a concern for athlete health?
Playing matches that extend into the early morning hours, like the 3:33 AM finish of the Alcaraz-Shelton match, disrupts athletes' sleep cycles, recovery, and overall physical well-being, potentially increasing injury risk, according to fitness experts like Alberto Lledo.