The relentless tennis calendar strikes again as the players barely have time to catch their breath between major tournaments. This time, it’s creating a collision course between two of tennis’s biggest events.
The quick turnaround between tournaments and, at times, overlapping schedules often spark concern and draw criticism of the calendar. This was evident when Australian tennis legend Rennae Stubbs slammed the scheduling of the upcoming Cincinnati Open finals, featuring stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Iga Świątek.
Why Is Rennae Stubbs Calling the Cincinnati Final Scheduling “Absolutely Bonkers”?
Stubbs pointed out that the scheduling of the Cincinnati final could dampen the attention and excitement surrounding the US Open mixed doubles, which begins on August 19.
US Open Fan Week returns to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 18, nearly a week ahead of the main event. With free entry for all, fans can enjoy an energetic blend of marquee events and family activities, all built around the US Open Qualifying Tournament.
For the first time, the US Open mixed doubles event, running from Tuesday, August 19, to Wednesday, August 20, will coincide with Fan Week. Adding to the excitement is a star-studded lineup, with top names such as Sinner, Alcaraz, Świątek, Novak Djokovic, Venus Williams, Jessica Pegula, and more bringing their best in pursuit of the coveted titles.
The event comes at the cost of a quick turnaround from the Cincinnati Open, particularly for those contesting its final on Monday, August 18. World No. 1 Sinner booked his spot in the title clash by defeating French qualifier Terence Atmane in the semifinals, while Alcaraz overcame Alexander Zverev.
Meanwhile, the women’s Cincinnati Open final between Świątek and Jasmine Paolini is also scheduled for the same day, leaving players with minimal time to travel and compete in the mixed doubles event at Flushing Meadows.
This scheduling conflict sparked sharp criticism from Stubbs, who revealed its wider impact on the sport. The Australian criticized the scheduling of the Cincinnati Open final on a Monday, calling it “absolutely bonkers.” She argued that this would disrupt fan week at the upcoming US Open and undermine its mixed doubles tournament, affecting both fans and sponsors. She shared on X:
“A Monday final is just ABSOLUTELY BONKERS! @atptour @WTA I’m sure the @usopen isnt happy about it either. Detracting from fan week & possibly the mixed doubles tournament they’ve put a lot of money into & that fans have paid to see with those names. Tennis really needs a commish!”
A Monday final is just ABSOLUTELY BONKERS! @atptour @WTA I’m sure the @usopen isnt happy about it either. Detracting from fan week & possibly the mixed doubles tournament they’ve put a lot of money into & that fans have paid to see with those names. Tennis really needs a commish!
— Rennae Stubbs ♈️ (@rennaestubbs) August 17, 2025
Sinner and Alcaraz will square off in their fourth meeting of the year, with yet another title on the line in Cincinnati, just like the previous three encounters.
MORE: Carlos Alcaraz Gets Honest on Jannik Sinner Challenge in Cincinnati Final
Can Sinner and Alcaraz Deliver Another Classic in Their Cincinnati Showdown?
Sinner and Alcaraz have firmly established themselves as two of the most dominant forces in modern tennis. They consistently make deep runs at tournaments and frequently cross paths in the finals.
Their rivalry has already produced 13 battles, with the Cincinnati final set to be their 14th encounter. Alcaraz currently leads the head-to-head 8-5, though Sinner won their most recent meeting at the 2025 Wimbledon final.
With both players at the peak of their form, the stage is set for a blockbuster showdown. On the women’s side, Świątek holds a commanding 5-0 lead over Paolini, most recently defeating her 6-1, 6-3 in the Bad Homburg semifinals this June.
With barely any time separating the Cincinnati Open from US Open Fan Week, it remains to be seen how the players manage the quick turnaround.
