Martina Navratilova has called for US Open organisers to do more to protect the welfare of players.The 18-time Grand Slam champion launched a scathing rant as she called for a rule change after Venus Williams’ first round exit.Navratilova has urged US Open organisers to do more to protect player welfareGettyWilliams was beaten in straight sets by Sofia Kenin on day one of this year’s tournament.However, their match at Arthur Ashe Stadium did not start until after midnight on Monday morning, a record for a women’s match at the US Open.US Open criticismNavratilova has now called for changes to be made to avoid a repeat in the future.She explained: “It was the latest start for a women’s match ever. After midnight, and it could have been later. Tennis is the only sport that does this. I think it’s crazy…“I think they need to fix the night session. It’s too late. I think they should play men’s singles and then maybe a doubles match.“If you do women’s singles you can still have another doubles match, or another women’s singles. You’ll get four sets of play minimum.“Even if you put the women’s match on first and it’s three sets, the guys start by 10pm. If a men’s match goes five sets, you start at midnight.“You’re never on the court at midnight and you never start a match at midnight, so it’s counterproductive for everybody, spectators and the players.”Williams went on to lose 2-6, 6-7 (6-8) to Kenin in the fourth and final match at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday.They had been second on court during the evening session, which was scheduled to begin at 7pm.Kenin and Williams’ first round match did not start until gone midnight on Monday morningAFPHowever, Novak Djokovic’s five-set defeat to Mariano Navone saw the women’s singles match delayed.Earlier in the afternoon, both Jessica Pegula and Daniil Medvedev had picked up straight set victories.Williams sisters at the US OpenDespite her singles exit, Williams will return to court in New York on Friday alongside her sister Serena.The pair were handed wildcard entries into the main draw after reuniting at the Cincinnati Open earlier this month.It had marked their first time as doubles partners since the 2022 US Open.As partners, the Williams sisters have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, most recently at Wimbledon back in 2016.Williams will return to court alongside sister Serena in the women’s doublesAFPFor Venus, those triumphs help make up her haul of 23 Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles and mixed doubles events.She is also a two-time US Open singles champion after back-to-back wins in 2000 and 2001.