[untostaronaf]

Is sharing the 8:00pm start time between the men and the woman a good idea? Is it fair? Unfair?

[jessyhalm]

I just complained about this, sort of, in the other thread. I voted bad idea but I believe it is both a good idea and a bad idea.

Bad for tennis fans b/c they would have to choose between either the men or the women. Having been to Ashe for the night session....I don't think it is a good idea to break up the tradition of having a premier women's match and men's match.

On the other hand...GOOD b/c like I said in the other thread...it is unfair to have a woman's two set match start at 11:50pm!!! Men's matches, by virtue of being three sets are going to take much longer than the women's matches the majority of the time...and if they happen to be a record-setting match, God help the women that have to play after them! But I also recognize that...it would be unfair for the men to always have to wait for the women's match to finish and never get their chance at going first.

[Penisvergroesserung]

Horrible idea.

[kilibry]

I went for bad idea...maybe a better idea toward the end of the tournament, but how many people stuck around to watch Wozniacki drub Gullickson tonight?

[Saispapedlimi]

I went for bad idea...maybe a better idea toward the end of the tournament, but how many people stuck around to watch Wozniacki drub Gullickson tonight?

I agree your idea would be a better use.

[untostaronaf]

I voted Bad Idea. How long can a women's match go? 3 hours tops? That's an 11:00 start for the men -- if the women's match even goes that long.

Men's matches can go 4.5, 5 hours. That's a possible 12:30am 1:00am start time for the second match!!

Crazy idea.

[KatoabamyHant]

I'm okay with it.

Didn't vote because I neither like nor dislike it.

[antonyandruleit]

Voted Good Idea. If I'm at the Open, I may very well want to see the end of the men's match and not stay until 2.00 a.m. Sometimes. And other than the irritation of possibly having to wait around for four hours, I think the women would probably like to be the late match sometimes, too. Something unique and special about playing then, in New York, in a Slam.

Not in the first round with the #1 seed, but I seem to recall every year at least one of the late night matches becomes a classic: why not give the women a chance to put on the classic?

[DrazAdwamoi]

I voted bad idea, only because I think it's fairer on the players with the women first (I could be completely mistaken in this though).

The night matches start 11.00am NZ time, so depending what shift I'm on would actually alter my choice.
I follow mainly ATP so if I'm a 2.30pm work start and the men are up first I'd get to see most of that, if I'm graveyard I can wake up in time if the men are on second. Today I'm on a day off so I don't care! grin

[onlineslotetes]

I'll be the jerk. It helps in many ways. If the women want equal treatment, they have to understand that it also involves the pros and the cons. The dreaded super late night match that many men have endured for many years now is also part of the women's game. And as somebody said above, how many people stuck around for the Wozniaki match last night? 1/4 of what was there for Nadal's? So this can provide real data for the equal pay policy if it is about who sells more tickets (a financial decision) as opposed to the Politically Correct decision.
I wonder how many people would have walked out of the stadium if Rafa was playing second (and I did stay up to watch Caro)

[appletango]

I gotta agree with Ponchi - and with a number of the male players who have been raising this issue for years. If you want equal pay, then it is only fair that you split the late start. You very well might get a lot of people leaving after the opening match, but fair is fair.

[Amorsesombabs]

I am also ok with the idea. The problem last night was that the USTA scheduled a very slow playing player on the men's side. Apparently they have never seen a Rafa match before. Not to mention the day session ran long.

[Elissetecausa]

I like it, partly because I just find early round men's matches tend to be better quality. Not sure if it's true, but I watch more men's first week, more balanced in the second week. They could maybe put a cap on it though, like 11:30 start or move to the other show court.

[jessyhalm]

I like it, partly because I just find early round men's matches tend to be better quality. Not sure if it's true, but I watch more men's first week, more balanced in the second week. They could maybe put a cap on it though, like 11:30 start or move to the other show court.

That's messed up for ticket holders who want and paid for the women's match and a men's match.

[vintsqyuid]

I am also ok with the idea. The problem last night was that the USTA scheduled a very slow playing player on the men's side. Apparently they have never seen a Rafa match before. Not to mention the day session ran long.

[whatisthebluepill]

I gotta agree with Ponchi - and with a number of the male players who have been raising this issue for years. If you want equal pay, then it is only fair that you split the late start. You very well might get a lot of people leaving after the opening match, but fair is fair.

I agree.

[DioraMoostebeers]

I voted good - why should the men be the only ones who end up playing after midnight? There have been plenty of times where the mens' match didn't start until after 10pm - I don't see how it's any different for the womens' match to start late and finish after midnight.

[Baromaro]

The women need to be treated like the men to justify equal pay (yes I'm for women playing five sets at majors) so this is fair.

[warrgazur]

The women need to be treated like the men to justify equal pay (yes I'm for women playing five sets at majors) so this is fair.

I agree with you in theory, but the WTA does seem to have an edge in utterly painful to watch matches. I shudder to think of some being extended up to another two sets.

[jessyhalm]

The women need to be treated like the men to justify equal pay (yes I'm for women playing five sets at majors) so this is fair.

If they made the women's matches 5 setters in the slams....I wouldn't at all mind rotating who goes first at the night sessions

But having both matches start at 8pm? Bad bad bad idea. We'd have to choose between the matches....Good tickets for Ashe Stadium are too expensive for that.

I for one would stay until the last ball was played