The latest start time recorded at the 2026 US Open women’s singles tournament was 12:13 a.m.
The time was recorded for the first-round match between Serena Williams and Sofia Kenin. Their match began after midnight, making it the latest-starting match in the tournament’s history.
That mark surpassed the previous record of 12:08 a.m., set during the 2024 US Open. The earlier match was a third-round meeting between Aryna Sabalenka and Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Late starts are unusual in tennis because matches can run beyond their scheduled times, especially during evening sessions. Long earlier matches, delays and packed night-session schedules can push the next match past midnight. A start after midnight is distinct from the match’s finish time: the players may continue well into the early morning.