3<\/p>\n Navratilova has urged US Open organisers to do more to protect player welfareCredit: Getty<\/p>\n Williams was beaten in straight sets by Sofia Kenin on day one of this year’s tournament.<\/p>\n However, their match at Arthur Ashe Stadium did not start until after midnight on Monday morning, a record for a women’s match at the US Open<\/a>.<\/p>\n US Open criticism<\/p>\n Navratilova has now called for changes to be made to avoid a repeat in the future.<\/p>\n She explained: “It was the latest start for a women\u2019s match ever. After midnight, and it could have been later. Tennis is the only sport that does this. I think it\u2019s crazy\u2026<\/p>\n READ MORE TENNIS NEWS<\/p>\n “I think they need to fix the night session. It\u2019s too late. I think they should play men\u2019s singles and then maybe a doubles match.<\/p>\n “If you do women\u2019s singles you can still have another doubles match, or another women\u2019s singles. You’ll get four sets of play minimum.<\/p>\n “Even if you put the women\u2019s match on first and it\u2019s three sets, the guys start by 10pm. If a men\u2019s match goes five sets, you start at midnight.<\/p>\n “You\u2019re never on the court at midnight and you never start a match at midnight, so it\u2019s counterproductive for everybody, spectators and the players.”<\/p>\n Williams went on to lose 2-6, 6-7 (6-8) to Kenin in the fourth and final match at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday.<\/p>\n They had been second on court during the evening session, which was scheduled to begin at 7pm.<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n Kenin and Williams’ first round match did not start until gone midnight on Monday morningCredit: AFP<\/p>\n However, Novak Djokovic’s five-set defeat to Mariano Navone<\/a> saw the women’s singles match delayed.<\/p>\n Earlier in the afternoon, both Jessica Pegula and Daniil Medvedev<\/a> had picked up straight set victories.<\/p>\n Williams sisters at the US Open<\/p>\n Despite her singles exit, Williams will return to court in New York on Friday alongside her sister Serena<\/a>.<\/p>\n The pair were handed wildcard entries into the main draw<\/a> after reuniting at the Cincinnati Open earlier this month.<\/p>\n It had marked their first time as doubles partners since the 2022 US Open.<\/p>\n As partners, the Williams sisters have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, most recently at Wimbledon<\/a> back in 2016.<\/p>\n![\"Martina](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/former-tennis-player-martina-navratilova-1105184787.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Sofia](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/usas-sofia-kenin-shakes-hands-1105184132.jpg\")
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![\"Venus](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/usas-venus-williams-waves-crowd-1104501708.jpg\")
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