The finals coinciding with the US Open mixed doubles have been criticized as inhumane, but the Cincinnati tournament director protests: "We won’t take the blame for this."

Once the US Open mixed doubles schedule was unveiled, the Cincinnati event organizers were immediately thrust into the spotlight, facing criticism for crafting such a demanding finals timetable that overlaps with the US Open, allegedly to the detriment of the players.

Since the announcement that this year's US Open mixed doubles would kick off on August 19, there has been ongoing public interest. But when the exact scheduling details were revealed, it completely caught many off guard and provoked strong reactions.

Some bluntly commented that Sinner, Alcaraz, and Swiatek are still preparing for the finals in Cincinnati, and right after their matches, they have to rush to New York. It feels more like a wild race than a tennis competition. "Are they trying to turn Swiatek into a machine and make Sinner and Alcaraz into ironmen?"

The Cincinnati organizers have become the main target of criticism because many believe their scheduling is simply inhumane. Despite knowing the exact start time of the US Open mixed doubles, they chose not to avoid a clash, almost as if they wanted to make things difficult for the US Open. "What kind of grudge would make someone come up with such an unreasonable plan?"

To be precise, this isn't the first time Cincinnati's schedule has been criticized by outsiders.

Previously, Kalinskaya expressed strong dissatisfaction with the schedule even before facing Swiatek, with every word revealing her frustration and helplessness, which once sparked a wave of public discussion.

"How can I be expected to play the world No. 3 at noon after only sleeping at 4 a.m. the previous night? This completely undermines the principle of fair competition!" When Kalinskaya highlighted the problem with the schedule and stressed that such a short recovery time was impossible, she instantly became an object of sympathy across the internet.

Kalinskaya was already at a disadvantage against Swiatek in terms of skill, and now, complaining about the schedule in advance made it seem like the Russian was simply set up to lose, further diminishing the quality of the match.

After their match ended, with Kalinskaya losing 3-6 and 4-6, many fans and users commented that given her fatigue, she still managed to put up a decent fight. If the schedule had been more reasonable and allowed Kalinskaya to rest properly, the quality and excitement of her match against the six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek would surely have been much higher.

From day one, this year’s Cincinnati schedule has faced various criticisms, and now, with the finals clashing with the US Open mixed doubles, the tournament has finally reached a breaking point with public outrage erupting over the scheduling issues just as the event nears its end.

The Cincinnati Masters final between Alcaraz and Sinner is set to start at 3 a.m. Beijing time on the 19th, and given that matches between these two are never easy, the exact duration of this high-profile clash is hard to predict.

Meanwhile, the US Open mixed doubles match between Alcaraz and Raducanu is scheduled for 3:30 a.m. on August 20, according to the latest timetable. This means that right after the finals, there will be almost no time for rest or adjustment before the US Open mixed doubles, increasing the risk of elimination for both the Spaniard and Raducanu.

Sinner’s US Open mixed doubles match is on the same day as Alcaraz’s, just over an hour later, which presents a significant challenge for the Italian player as well.

Swiatek, who will also play mixed doubles on the same day as Sinner and Alcaraz, faces a tough challenge too!

The Polish star’s championship match against Paolini is set for 6 a.m. Beijing time on the 19th, while her US Open mixed doubles debut is scheduled for 12:30 a.m. on August 20. If Swiatek wants to compete for this year’s US Open mixed doubles prize money, she’ll truly need to perform like a superwoman.

Many have compared the Cincinnati schedule with the US Open mixed doubles timetable, emphasizing that it’s “inhumane” and increases the risk of player injuries. "If Sinner and Alcaraz get hurt due to such a tight schedule, impacting future matches, Cincinnati should bear the main responsibility."

This statement completely put the Cincinnati organizers in the hot seat, making them the target of intense criticism and leaving them in a very passive position.

Facing a wave of public backlash, the Cincinnati organizers did not remain silent. They immediately spoke up to defend themselves, insisting they should not be blamed for this.

“This was never our intention. ATP wanted to provide more buffer time, that’s all. Do you think I want to hold the finals on a Monday? No, I absolutely don’t, but they insisted on giving players more rest days. The real reason for extending the tournament to two weeks is to allow players more recovery time.” Responding to the crisis caused by the schedule, Cincinnati tournament director Bob Moran immediately revealed the internal details, candidly stating that the organizers would not shirk their responsibilities, but they also wouldn’t accept blame for things beyond their control. He hopes the public will stay rational and not direct their anger at the wrong party.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Starry Sky of Moon River)