US Open Draws Flak for Scheduling Carlos Alcaraz Versus Novak Djokovic Semifinal Match During Day Session – “Terrible Decision”

Tennis fans are gearing up for the popcorn US Open semifinal match between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. The US Open, however, was censured for the scheduling of the match.

It’s scheduled during the day session, at 3:00 pm local time. The Alcaraz versus Djokovic is the biggest match so far, with fans saying it deserved the prime-time slot.

Jannik Sinner and Felix Auger-Aliassime‘s semifinal got the prime-time slot as it is scheduled to start at 7:00 pm local time. Auger-Aliassime is the only player in the semifinals yet to win a Major; he, in fact, has reached his career’s second Grand Slam semifinal, with the first being also in New York in 2021.

While Sinner will face the Canadian for the third time (trails 1-2 in the head-to-head matchups), Alcaraz and Djokovic have already met eight times, with the Serb winning five of those matches, including in their last two encounters: in the final of the 2024 Paris Olympics and in the quarterfinals of this year’s Australian Open.

Fans slam the US Open for making Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz play during the day session

Fans of Novak Djokovic are slamming the US Open, accusing it of unfair scheduling. They believe the tournament wants a blockbuster Jannik Sinner versus Carlos Alcaraz by scheduling the match during the day.

Check out their reactions here:

🚨The US Open put Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz during the day session on Friday in hot weather.

Shameful decision as this is the biggest match by far and the obvious prime time match.

It seems like they really want a Sinner-Alcaraz final.

Rain on their parade, Novak. 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/TDIBerPG2K

— Danny (@DjokovicFan_) September 4, 2025

All planned!
Carlito plays better in the afternoon session.
Sinner has more then 24 hours rest, so there is no need for him to play night sessions.
All done on purpose to help them win against Novak.
Shameful decision.
👎👎👎

— Peter (@1508peter) September 4, 2025

Terrible decision, it should have been a prime time match!

— The GOAT 🐐 (@TheG0ATPlays) September 4, 2025

It looks like they Dont want Novak
To advance to the finals
But Novak has other plans to mess the plans of the organisers

— promothg (@quizmasterPG) September 4, 2025

I am a Carlos fan and I am very surprised it's not being played at nighttime. It's the matchup of the tournament, so far and should be played in primetime. I don't understand it

— TJ and Bart's Dad! (@ApplePasta) September 4, 2025

💯 blatant. As soon as Ferrara said Carlos would like day session, I knew this was happening. Disgraceful decision to put dopinner vs FAA prime primetime

— DjokoBolt (@mihir_431) September 4, 2025

Putting a blockbuster match in the middle of the day is crazy. Everyone wants to see Novak and Carlos battle. I’m not convinced crowds are as excited about the other two.

— Matter-of-Fact (@IzMogUgla) September 4, 2025

What a mistake!!!!

— iki the Opera Singer!🎭🎤🎶🎼🎵#24,428🇷🇸🇧🇦🐐🐊 (@operskapevacica) September 4, 2025

Alcaraz has already defended his French Open crown by defeating Sinner, who later got his revenge by winning Wimbledon. Although Djokovic has reached the semifinals of all four Majors this season, his last Grand Slam title was lifted here in 2023 after defeating Daniil Medvedev.

If the 38-year-old wins, he will reach a Grand Slam final for the first time since the 2024 Wimbledon (lost to Alcaraz). An interesting fact about the semifinal is this: Djokovic won his first Grand Slam title (at the 2008 Australian Open) when the other three semifinalists were children; they had not even turned 10.

Juan Carlos Ferrara wanted Carlos Alcaraz to face Novak Djokovic during the day

As per Alcaraz’s coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero (in an interview given on September 3 to Onda Regional), the night session during the Australian Open quarterfinals favored Djokovic; that if the match on Arthur Ashe Stadium is held during the day, the conditions would favor Alcaraz.

In Australia, they played at night, and that favored Novak a bit. If we played here during the day, we believe the conditions would be much better for us.

Djokovic and Alcaraz have won one and six titles, respectively, this season. If Djokovic reaches a final and faces Sinner, it will be their 11th match. Djokovic trails 4-6 in the head-to-head matchups and also has lost their last five matches, which include the semifinals of this year’s French Open and Wimbledon.

While Djokovic is chasing his historic 25th Major as well as his fifth US Open title, Sinner is aiming to become the first man since Roger Federer (2008) to defend the crown at Flushing Meadows.

Before reaching the semifinals, Djokovic survived a scare in the quarterfinals against home favorite Taylor Fritz, against whom he now holds a perfect 11-0 head-to-head record. Sinner and Alcaraz breezed past Lorenzo Musetti and Jiri Lehecka, respectively, in the last eight.

Djokovic is occupying the fourth spot on the rankings table, and if he wins the tournament, he will remove Alexander Zverev from the third spot. Sinner and Alcaraz are battling for the No.1 spot, with the latter already reaching the top on the live rankings.

Djokovic is also tied with Jimmy Connors for the most semifinal appearances at the US Open (14). He suffered a third-round exit last year.

Also read: Carlos Alcaraz Hits Back at Andy Murray After Being Trolled over Golf Win: “Brave Enough to Play Me at Singles?”