US Open 2026: All to know about the schedule, top seeds and favourites | Tennis News
US Open 2026 Set to Begin This Sunday at Flushing Meadows with Exciting Storylines and Notable Absences
The 2026 US Open officially kicks off this Sunday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, marking the start of the anticipated season for Honey Deuce cocktails.
As the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year, the tournament will showcase a blend of top-ranked players and emerging talents, despite some key absences due to injuries. Recently, Czech duo Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik secured the mixed doubles title, defeating Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic and Italy’s Flavio Cobolli on Wednesday night.
Tournament Schedule
The main draw runs from August 30 to September 13, with the following key matches scheduled:
- Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals: September 8
- Women’s Singles Semifinals: September 10
- Men’s Singles Semifinals: September 11
- Women’s Final: September 12
- Men’s Final: September 13
Top Seeds
Women’s Singles:
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Elina Rybakina
- Jessica Pegula
- Coco Gauff
- Mirra Andreeva
- Karolina Muchova
- Linda Noskova
- Iga Swiatek
- Amanda Anisimova
- Elina Svitolina
Men’s Singles:
- Alexander Zverev
- Carlos Alcaraz
- Felix Auger-Aliassime
- Alex de Minaur
- Ben Shelton
- Novak Djokovic
- Daniil Medvedev
- Flavio Cobolli
- Taylor Fritz
- Alexander Bublik
Major Storylines
The tournament is rife with storylines, including the following:
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Jannik Sinner Withdraws: The world number one announced his withdrawal due to a right knee injury, expressing disappointment after missing key hard-court tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati.
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Carlos Alcaraz Returns: The defending champion seeks to reclaim his title after a four-month hiatus due to a wrist injury. However, Sinner’s absence eliminates the anticipated rivalry between the two.
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Serena Williams and Alcaraz Unite: The legendary American player teamed up with Alcaraz for the mixed doubles but was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
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Williams Sisters in Doubles: Serena and Venus Williams received a wildcard to compete in the women’s doubles. The siblings have achieved success together in previous US Opens.
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Stan Wawrinka’s Last-Minute Entry: The former champion received a wildcard after public outcry over his initial exclusion.
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Debut of Moise Kouame: The 17-year-old sensation made headlines as the youngest male Grand Slam winner in 17 years but was eliminated in the qualifying round.
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Djokovic Pursues Historic Title: Now ranked fifth in the world, Djokovic aims for his 25th Grand Slam title amid age-related challenges but has demonstrated resilience in recent competitions.
Roger Federer’s Status
Roger Federer, the 45-year-old Swiss tennis icon, has ruled out a competitive return to the sport. His recent appearance during the US Open Fan Week was limited to exhibition matches ahead of his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Predictions for the Tournament
With Sinner absent, Alcaraz emerges as a leading contender in the men’s draw. Alexander Zverev, the reigning Wimbledon champion, is also a strong candidate despite a recent fourth-round exit in Cincinnati. Frenchman Arthur Fils may pose a surprise threat after capturing his first Masters 1000 title.
Among the women, Coco Gauff will strive for another title, going up against top-seeded Sabalenka, who is gunning for her third consecutive US Open victory.
Prize Money
This year’s tournament features a record prize pool of $108 million:
- Singles Winners: $5.5 million
- Doubles Winners: $1 million
Notable Absences
Key players missing from the tournament include Jannik Sinner, Brazil’s Joao Fonseca, and British player Jack Draper on the men’s side. On the women’s side, Emma Raducanu, Canada’s Victoria Mboko, and the United States’ Hailey Baptiste will also be absent.
As the excitement builds for the US Open, fans and players alike are expected to engage in an unforgettable tournament filled with high-stakes matches and unexpected twists.
