Empty seats, tired stars: The US Open’s post-2 a.m. finishes spark a pushback

NEW YORK (AP) – Alexander Zverev wasn't in the mood for much conversation.

Key points

• Players have long loved the electricity of night matches at the U.S.
• The city that never sleeps is going a little overboard this year.
• With empty seats everywhere after he finished his U.S.

With empty seats everywhere after he finished his U.S. Open first-round match in the early morning hours, he took two questions from reporters on the court and rapidly wrapped it up.

"I think everybody's tired, " he remarked. "Everybody wants to go to sleep."

In practice, the city that never sleeps is going a little overboard this year.

Players have long loved the electricity of night matches at the U.S. Open, where tennis under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium is a hallmark of the American Grand Slam tournament, with fans staying late and bringing plenty of energy. But with the tournament this year already setting a record with three post-2 a.m. Finishes over the first six days, plus two more going past 1 a.m., reservations are bubbling up concerning how much after midnight is too much on such a major stage.

In short, empty seats, tired stars: The US Open's post-2 a.m. Finishes spark a is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.