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US Open chiefs ponder Monday finish

Roger Federer urged US Open officials to scrap 'Super Saturday' © Getty Images

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Roger Federer is encouraged by the news that officials are planning a major overhaul of the US Open schedule.

Heavy rain at Flushing Meadows saw the men's final postponed to the Monday for a fourth consecutive year, and tournament organisers are looking into the possibility of making the Monday finish a permanent fixture.

Top players have been critical of the US Open schedule, which sees the men's semi-finals and final played on consecutive days, and tournament director Jim Curley has revealed that the US Tennis Association is already in talks with broadcasters in a bid to find a solution.

One proposal is to add a 15th day to the tournament, shifting the men's final from Sunday to Monday and the women's final from Saturday night to Sunday afternoon, giving the finalists a day's rest between semi-finals and final. Another possibility is to scrap the 'Super Saturday' - which currently features the men's semis and the women's final - and move the men's semi-finals to Friday.

"We're just getting into this process and right now, everything is on the table," Curley told Associated Press. "The sport has become much more physical over the years, to the point where players feel very strongly that they need to have a day between the semis and the final.

"While the players are an integral part of the US Open, it's one aspect we need to take into consideration, along with onsite fans, TV viewers, corporate sponsors, television partners, both domestic and international. It's a Rubik's Cube, since so many variables need to be taken into consideration."

Federer, who was one of the most outspoken critics of the scheduling at Flushing Meadows this year, welcomed the news. "It's good news that they're reviewing the US Open schedule," he said. "It's the right move for our sport. I am pleased that the USTA is listening to the players, and I am very encouraged with these developments."

While he insisted the scheduling issue was a major priority, Curley admitted any changes may not come into effect in time for next year.

"It might not happen in '12," he said. "It might happen in '13. I just want to be clear that the goal is to get this done."

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