The courts at the U.S. Open women’s final between Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova were active well before the main event began, as other players utilized the space for preparation and practice.
Tournament officials confirmed that several players had access to the courts hours before the championship match, following standard protocol that allows for warm-up sessions and court familiarization prior to major matches.
Pre-Match Court Activity
According to eyewitness reports, various players were seen on the courts conducting light practice sessions, stretching routines, and familiarizing themselves with court conditions. This practice is common at Grand Slam events, where maintaining court readiness is essential for optimal playing conditions.
The early morning activity included coaching staff and support teams who helped prepare the playing surface and test conditions before the high-profile final. Court maintenance crews were also observed making final adjustments to ensure the playing surface met tournament standards.
A tournament official, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained: “We always have a schedule for court usage before major matches. Players often request time to get a feel for the conditions, especially before finals.”
Final Preparations
The women’s final between Belarusian second seed Sabalenka and American Anisimova represented one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament. Both players had their own preparation routines away from the main court before their scheduled warm-up time.
Tennis analysts noted that this pre-match period is critical for players’ mental preparation. Former player and commentator Mary Carillo stated, “What happens in those hours before a final can set the tone for the entire match. Some players want to feel the court early, while others prefer to stay in their routine elsewhere.”
Court preparation for a Grand Slam final involves multiple steps:
- Surface inspection and repair of any minor damage
- Line checking and touch-up
- Net tension adjustment
- Ball kid and official positioning practice
Tournament Logistics
The U.S. Open, as one of tennis’s four Grand Slam tournaments, maintains strict protocols for court usage and preparation. The tournament director oversees a complex schedule that allocates practice time for players while protecting the court quality for match play.
“Managing court time before a final is always a balancing act,” explained a USTA representative. “We want players to have adequate preparation time without compromising the court condition for the championship match.”
Security measures were also heightened hours before the final, with additional personnel deployed around the stadium to manage the increasing crowd and ensure player safety during their pre-match routines.
The early court activity highlighted the behind-the-scenes work that goes into staging a Grand Slam final, from groundskeepers to security personnel to practice partners who help finalists with last-minute preparation.
As fans began filing into Arthur Ashe Stadium for the women’s final, the earlier players had already completed their sessions, leaving the spotlight ready for Sabalenka and Anisimova to compete for the championship trophy.
