US Open’s Super Saturday Is Coming To An End

Written by: Staff on 10th September 2012

US Open’s Super Saturday Is Coming To An End

epa03390199 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic reacts after taking the first set from Andy Murray of Great Britain during their semifinal match on the thirteenth day of the 2012 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 08 September 2012. The US Open runs through Sunday 09 September 2012. EPA/JASON SZENES |

The long-criticized concept of Super Saturday at the US Open looks like being consigned to history as CBS have agreed to the demands of top men’s player’s and allowed them a day off between semi-finals and finals.

Ever since CBS started covering the year’s final Grand Slam in 1968, the US Open has differed from its fellow major events the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon in demanding the men’s semi finals were played on Saturday and the final just a day later.

Inclement weather for the last four years has dictated a Monday final and this year is no different. But Jim McManus, chairman of CBS has bowed to the verbal pressure from the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Co. “You have to start with the premise that players will get a day off between the semi finals and the finals,” he said.

Negotiations between CBS and the United States Tennis Association seem to have two options to move forward from the 2013 event; semi finals on Friday and final on Sunday, or semi finals on Saturday and final on Monday night.

The change could effect the economics of the long term agreement between CBS and the USTA. McManus confirmed: “A lot of it is financial. We’re analyzing it. They are well aware of it.”

In the new schedule the women’s finalists will also get the luxury of a rest day with either a Thursday-Saturday or Friday-Sunday dates for the semi-finals and final.

The USTA. agrees with the proposed changes. Spokesman Chris Widmaier said: “Super Saturday has provided the greatest platform for tennis. However we recognize that the physicality of the game has changed so we will provide a day of rest.”

Widmaier confirmed scheduling issues are still undecided and added: “We still have certain scenarios to work out.”

Topics: 10sballs.com, CBS tennis news, Jim McManus, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Sports, US Open 2012, Usta