Why Djokovic fans are up in arms with US Open organisers ahead of Alcaraz semi-final

The tennis up in arms against the US Open 2025 organisers over the semi-final clash between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. The two tennis stars will face off against each other on Friday at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in a mouth-watering clash.

Djokovic is the most successful men’s player ever, with 24 Major titles to his name, while Alcaraz is the best among the young generation. He has already won five Grand Slams, one more than world No 1 Jannik Sinner. But there’s something that is bothering the tennis fans across the world.

Djokovic vs Alcaraz US Open controversy

While traditionally big matches like this are held in the evening or night session, the US Open organisers have scheduled the Djokovic vs Alcaraz semi-final in the afternoon slot, at 3 pm local time in New York. For India, that would be 12.30 am IST on Saturday.

There’s a belief among fans that the organisers are hoping for an Alcaraz vs Sinner final as the afternoon heat would go against a 38-year-old Djokovic, who is already suffering with fitness issues.

Sharing a similar sentiment, a fan on X wrote: “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.”

A Carlos Alcaraz fan also found the timing of the match a bit odd. “I am a Carlos fan and I am very surprised it’s not being played at nighttime. It’s the matchup of the tournament and should be in primetime. I don’t understand it,” he wrote on X.

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

Another fan said, “It looks like they don’t want Novak to advance to the finals.”

There are many similar posts on social media platforms as fans accuse the US Open organisers of favouring the Spanish 22-year-old rising star, Alcaraz, over the old warhorse, Djokovic.

The Djokovic vs Alcaraz US Open 2025 semi-final match will be shown live on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network TV channels in India.