Venus Williams Falls to Sofia Kenin in Historic Late-Night US Open Loss

Venus Williams entered the 2026 US Open still chasing a singles win at the tournament, having lost in the first round for four consecutive years. At 46, Williams remains a major figure in tennis, though her singles ranking has slipped to 611th according to BirGün. Her opening match was scheduled against Sofia Kenin, a former Australian Open champion.

Anticipation was high, with fans eager to see if Williams could advance past the first round after a string of early exits. The stage was set for a notable encounter, but the scheduling would prove to be a major talking point.

The match between Williams and Kenin took place on the night of August 31, 2026, but did not start until 12:13 am, after a lengthy preceding match involving Novak Djokovic, the Guardian Sport reported. This was the latest start ever recorded in US Open history for a women's match, according to Al Jazeera and World News CNA.

Williams struggled in the first set, losing 6-2. She fought hard in the second set and had several chances to win, but Kenin held firm and closed out the match in a tiebreak, 7-6(6), as reported by L'Équipe and ESPN. The contest ended after 2 am, making it a grueling experience for both players.

After the match, Williams voiced her frustration about the late scheduling. She said playing after midnight was not good for either player and questioned the tournament's decision, according to BBC and People. The broader issue of late-night matches and their impact on players' health and performance became a hot topic among fans and commentators.

The scheduling controversy was part of ongoing disputes in tennis over balancing player welfare with commercial interests. The BBC noted that these late matches are often a result of attempts to maximize revenue, but they can take a toll on athletes.

With this loss, Venus Williams has now exited the US Open in the first round for the fifth consecutive year. According to ESPN, this could be her last singles appearance in a Grand Slam, though she may still compete in doubles events.

Sofia Kenin advances to the next round, where she will face Jessica Pegula. Meanwhile, discussion continues about whether tennis organizers should rethink late-night scheduling to better protect players' wellbeing.

It remains to be seen if the US Open or other Grand Slam tournaments will respond to player concerns about late match starts. Williams' comments have amplified calls for change, but no immediate adjustments have been announced.