Rain that fell on the morning of Wednesday, August 20, 2025, in the New York metropolitan area disrupted the schedule of the second round of the US Open qualifying tournament, the final Grand Slam of the season. Brazilian player Laura Pigossi, ranked 205th in the world, had her match against Australian Emerson Jones, ranked 199th, postponed due to weather conditions. The game, set as the first on court 9, is crucial for a spot in the third and final round of the qualifying. Tournament organizers began drying the courts at 11 a.m. local time (12 p.m. Brasília time), announcing a minimum delay of 60 minutes. Pigossi, coming off a grueling 3-hour-and-38-minute victory over Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek, aims for her debut in the US Open main draw. Jones, her opponent, is also riding momentum after defeating former top-30 player Barbara Pera. The unprecedented matchup keeps expectations high for the Brazilian.
Rain interruptions are not uncommon in tennis tournaments but directly impact players’ preparation. Pigossi, who has faced lengthy battles on court, now contends with schedule uncertainty. The US Open, held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, is known for its vibrant atmosphere and hard courts, which demand player adaptation.
- Key moments of the delay:
- Rain began in the morning, affecting the entire qualifying schedule.
- Court drying started at 11 a.m. local time.
- The initial delay was estimated at least 60 minutes, with no exact resumption time.
- Pigossi and Jones await on court 9, with the Brazilian seeking her third qualifying win.
Match preparation
Laura Pigossi, 31, is at a pivotal moment in her career. After defeating Tamara Zidansek, a former Roland Garros semifinalist, the Brazilian showed resilience by saving a match point and turning the game around in 3 hours and 38 minutes, with a score of 5/7, 7/6 (7/2), and 6/3. The match, played on Monday, highlighted Pigossi’s ability to stay focused in long, intense games. Now, against Emerson Jones, she faces a young, 21-year-old opponent who also proved her strength by beating Barbara Pera in two sets. The duel promises to be close, as both players are near each other in the rankings and share the same goal: the US Open main draw.
The US Open qualifying consists of three rounds, with 16 spots available for the women’s main draw. Pigossi, who has played in the main draws of Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open, dreams of her first appearance in New York’s main draw. The Brazilian, with a bronze medal in women’s doubles at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics alongside Luisa Stefani, is a hope for Brazilian tennis. Her opponent, Jones, is an Australian prospect aiming to establish herself on the professional circuit.
Weather impact on the tournament
Bad weather is not new to the US Open. Frequent rains in New York, especially in late August, have caused delays in previous editions. In 2024, for instance, matches were postponed for a few hours, but organizers managed to resume the schedule after the rain stopped. For 2025, the weather forecast suggests the storm may clear later in the day, potentially allowing matches to resume. However, the uncertainty affects players’ rhythm, requiring them to maintain focus and physical warm-up during the wait.
For players like Pigossi, the interruption demands routine adjustments. The downtime can be used for tactical planning but also increases mental fatigue. The US Open organization, aware of these conditions, follows a strict protocol to ensure court safety, with specialized teams handling drying and surface inspections.
- Rain protocols at the US Open:
- Court drying with machines and towels to ensure safety.
- Detailed inspections to prevent slipping risks.
- Constant communication with players about schedule updates.
- Use of covered areas for player warm-ups during delays.
Pigossi’s qualifying journey
Laura Pigossi’s campaign in the US Open 2025 qualifying began with a memorable victory. Against Zidansek, the Brazilian faced a rollercoaster match. After losing the first set 7/5, she tied the match in a second-set tiebreak, winning 7/2. In the third set, Pigossi took a 4/0 lead but saw her opponent fight back to 4/3. After medical attention for both players, the Brazilian regained control and closed the match at 6/3 on her second match point. The 3-hour-and-38-minute battle was a test of physical and mental endurance.
The São Paulo native, who once neared the top 100 in the world rankings, now faces a different challenge. Emerson Jones, her next opponent, has an aggressive playing style and excels in baseline rallies. Pigossi relies on versatility and experience in long matches to overcome the Australian. A win in the second round will pit her against the winner of the match between Astra Sharma and Victoria Jiménez Kasintseva in the final qualifying round.
Brazilian tennis at the US Open
Besides Pigossi, Brazil has other representatives in the US Open 2025 qualifying. Thiago Wild, Thiago Monteiro, and João Lucas Reis competed in the first round, but only Reis remains with a chance to advance, as Wild and Monteiro were eliminated. Beatriz Haddad Maia, ranked 21st in the WTA, and João Fonseca, 44th in the ATP, are already confirmed in the main draw, starting August 24. Haddad, a seeded player, is the country’s top female hope, while Fonseca, a 19-year-old rising star, aims to make an impact in his rapid ascent.
Brazilian tennis is undergoing a renewal, with young players like Fonseca and Reis emerging, while veterans like Pigossi and Haddad solidify their careers. Pigossi reaching the main draw would strengthen Brazil’s female presence in the circuit, following the legacy of Maria Esther Bueno, who shone at the US Open in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Brazilians at the US Open 2025:
- Beatriz Haddad Maia: Confirmed in the main draw, seeded player.
- João Fonseca: 19-year-old in the main draw with a historic ranking.
- João Lucas Reis: Qualifying debutant, facing Alexander Blockx.
- Thiago Wild and Thiago Monteiro: Eliminated in the first qualifying round.
Match expectations
The matchup between Pigossi and Jones is highly anticipated by Brazilian fans. The São Paulo native, known for her grit, faces an opponent who also comes from a tough victory, suggesting a competitive game. Court 9, where the match is scheduled, is one of the smaller courts in the complex, which may favor a more technical game with less crowd influence. Pigossi’s experience in high-level tournaments, like the Olympics and other Grand Slams, could be a differentiator against Jones’s youth.
The rain, however, remains an extra challenge. If the match is postponed to Thursday, August 21, Pigossi will have less recovery time before the final qualifying round, potentially impacting her performance. The US Open organization stated it will update the schedule throughout the day, keeping players and the public informed.
Rain history in New York
Weather events frequently impact the US Open. In previous years, like 2021 and 2023, heavy rains caused delays and even court changes. The Flushing Meadows complex has the Arthur Ashe Stadium with a retractable roof, but outer courts like court 9 rely on weather conditions. The forecast for August 20 indicates intermittent rain with improvement in the afternoon, which could allow Pigossi’s match to proceed today.
- Weather impacts at the US Open:
- Frequent delays on outer courts due to rain.
- Retractable roofs on stadiums like Arthur Ashe for main matches.
- Schedule adjustments affecting players and spectators.
- Strict protocols to ensure safety on wet courts.
What’s at stake
The third-round qualifying spot is a crucial step for Laura Pigossi. Reaching the US Open main draw would be a milestone in her career, especially after her first-round battle. Beyond prestige, the tournament offers significant prize money, with increased amounts in 2025, particularly for mixed doubles, now at $1 million for champions. For Pigossi, the focus is on singles, but her doubles experience also makes her a versatile player.
Brazilian fans closely follow Pigossi’s journey, representing the grit of national tennis. With rain as an extra opponent, the player must stay calm and focused to defeat Jones and advance. The US Open 2025, running from August 24 to September 7, promises to be a landmark for Brazilian tennis, with Pigossi and others aiming to make their mark in New York.