The Shelton-Alcaraz 3 a.m. finish at the U.S. Open was spectacular—unless you had to work the next day

Tennis players Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz made history at the U.S. Open on Tuesday, marking the latest-finishing tennis match in the NYC Grand Slam’s history, running through 3:33 a.m. While far from being the longest-running game in tennis history (that record was set at 11 hours and 5 minutes at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships), the match ran hours late. With no curfew in place, it was allowed to begin close to midnight. Many stayed up all night to watch the late game, but many more simply gave up, leaving the stadium or turning off their screen and hoping to see the score the next day. Despite the thrilling five-setter night game, many spectators who had to go to work the next day weren’t as thrilled about the late night. “Alcaraz-Shelton not starting until after 11pm. How is [this] good for anyone, except unemployed influencers,” a user said on X. “[Maybe] i will just go to bed now and hope that ben and carlos are in a fifth set tiebreak when i wake up for work in the morning,” another added. “Sometimes you have to make time” Many took the long night in stride, including the U.S. Open’s own account, which shared its own version of a doctor’s note to excuse the absence for…