Tennis fans couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw the 2025 US Open schedule. Coco Gauff versus Naomi Osaka, a clash between two Grand Slam champions with serious history, was relegated to a day session slot. The outrage was immediate and loud.
These two stars have battled five times on the WTA Tour, with the World No. 3 Gauff winning three of those encounters. Their most recent meeting took place in the fourth round of the 2024 China Open, where the American emerged victorious after Osaka retired due to injury in the third set.
This year, Gauff will be looking to win her second New York Major title, claiming her first in 2023 by defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Meanwhile, Osaka seeks her third title at Flushing Meadows, having previously won in 2018 and 2020 against Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka, respectively.
How Did Fans React to Coco Gauff-Naomi Osaka’s Match Not Being Played in the Evening?
Seeded third at the 2025 US Open, Gauff began her campaign by defeating Ajla Tomljanović 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-5 in the first round. She advanced to the fourth round after overcoming Donna Vekić 7-6(5), 6-2, and the 28th seed Magdalena Fręch 6-3, 6-1 in the second and third rounds, respectively.
Osaka took a different path to reach this showdown. She began her campaign at Flushing Meadows with a victory over Greet Minnen, winning 6-3, 6-4 in the first round, then followed up with a win against Hailey Baptiste, 6-3, 6-1, in the second round. She secured her place in the fourth round against Gauff by defeating 15th seed Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 in the third round.
The order of play for Monday, September 1, 2025, was recently announced. It revealed that Osaka and Gauff’s fourth-round match would take place at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the day session, not the coveted evening slot.
US Open Order of play – Monday, September 1, 2025 (Singles Only) pic.twitter.com/KPvSaoO6ye
— Tennis Schedules (@SchedulesTennis) August 31, 2025
Despite being a Labor Day holiday, the organizers’ choice of not scheduling the Osaka-Gauff match in the evening drew furious reactions from tennis fans on social media.
One fan didn’t hold back, criticizing the organizers for creating what they called the “worst schedule of all time.”
“uso cooking up the worst schedule of all time for the wta tomorrow,” a fan posted on X.
uso cooking up the worst schedule of all time for the wta tomorrow https://t.co/yVnxmrouLr pic.twitter.com/veGLAXZXiI
— m✌️ (@tlostdaughter_) August 31, 2025
Another fan expressed complete disbelief that the match between a four-time Grand Slam champion and a two-time Grand Slam champion was overshadowed by Amanda Anisimova and Beatriz Haddad Maia’s match, which received the prime-time evening slot.
“you have Naomi Osaka (4 times GS champion, is in the second week of a grand slam for the first time in years) vs Coco Gauff (2 times GS champion, AMERICAN) and you prioritize *check notes* Anisimova vs Haddad Maia ?” a fan wrote.
you have Naomi Osaka (4 times GS champion, is in the second week of a grand slam for the first time in years) vs Coco Gauff (2 times GS champion, AMERICAN) and you prioritize *check notes* Anisimova vs Haddad Maia ? https://t.co/5F6DfpuAVq
— mimi (@taacaraz) August 31, 2025
The frustration didn’t stop there. More tennis fans voiced their disappointment across social media platforms.
“Not putting Osaka vs Gauff at 7pm primetime is criminal ngl,” a fan posted.
Not putting Osaka vs Gauff at 7pm primetime is criminal ngl https://t.co/o6W654eI0o
— Zion (@fedballtennis) August 31, 2025
Some fans wondered if there was more to the story behind the scheduling decision.
“No way Osaka Gauff is not a night session match. Gauff really got her way,” a fan wrote.
No way Osaka Gauff is not a night session match. Gauff really got her way https://t.co/brlEuvuZpJ
— adri | #4inNYC 🐯 (@radulenkawta) August 31, 2025
Others simply couldn’t wrap their heads around the decision.
“i’m trying to make sense of this,” a fan posted.
i’m trying to make sense of this https://t.co/qfgkYKcCKM
— Magda (@doublefauIts) August 31, 2025
While Gauff is only competing in the singles event at the 2025 US Open, Osaka also competed in the mixed doubles event at Flushing Meadows alongside Gaël Monfils. They received a Wild Card entry into the tournament but were eliminated in the first round by the wild card duo of Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti, with a scoreline of 5-3, 4-2.
