Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka return as the defending singles champions, but both face strong competition. The men’s field includes each of the season’s three Grand Slam winners, while the women’s draw contains five former US Open champions and several players who have already won major titles in 2026.
Carlos Alcaraz returns as the US Open champion
Alcaraz won his second US Open title in 2025 and will arrive in New York attempting to defend the trophy for the first time. His previous success on the hard courts at Flushing Meadows makes him one of the leading contenders, even though he is behind Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev on the current entry list.
The Spaniard started the 2026 Grand Slam season by beating Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final. His speed around the court and ability to turn defence into attack suit the conditions in New York, although the late finishes and noisy evening sessions can test even experienced players.
Alcaraz’s developing rivalry with Sinner remains one of the main stories in men’s tennis. The draw will determine whether they can meet in the final or are placed on the same side, but another match between them would attract considerable attention after their battles at recent majors.
Jannik Sinner targets another hard-court major
Sinner enters the US Open as the highest-ranked player on the men’s entry list. The Italian won Wimbledon in July, beating Zverev in the final to claim his fifth Grand Slam singles title and his second consecutive trophy at the All-England Club.
New York has already been a successful venue for Sinner. His clean ball-striking, early contact and controlled movement make him difficult to rush on a hard court. He is also comfortable extending rallies without giving up his position close to the baseline.
Expectations will be high after his Wimbledon victory, but the US Open brings different demands. Heat, humidity and changing session times can affect recovery, while five-set matches under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights often finish late. Managing energy across the fortnight may be as important as Sinner’s form in the opening rounds.
Aryna Sabalenka chases a third straight US Open title
Sabalenka will attempt to become the first woman since Serena Williams to win three consecutive US Open singles titles. Williams achieved that run between 2012 and 2014, while Sabalenka lifted the trophy in both 2024 and 2025.
The world number one has built an excellent record on hard courts through an aggressive first serve and powerful groundstrokes. She can take control quickly when landing enough first serves, which helps her shorten points during physically demanding matches.
Her position as the two-time defending champion also brings pressure. Opponents know that preventing Sabalenka from dictating play is essential, and several players in the draw have the returning ability needed to challenge her second serve. Much may depend on how calmly she handles close sets during the first week.
A competitive group of women’s Grand Slam champions
The women’s event has produced three different major champions so far in 2026. Elena Rybakina won the Australian Open, Mirra Andreeva claimed the Roland Garros title and Linda Noskova triumphed at Wimbledon.
Rybakina’s serve and flat groundstrokes make her a natural threat on the New York hard courts. Andreeva has continued to develop rapidly, while Noskova arrives with the confidence of winning the most recent Grand Slam. None has yet lifted the US Open trophy.
Former champions Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu are also on the entry list. Gauff won the event in 2024, Swiatek was champion in 2022, Osaka took the title in 2018 and 2020, and Raducanu completed her remarkable qualifying run in 2021.
US Open 2026 betting markets and changing odds
The depth of both singles draws should create plenty of movement in the pre-tournament prices. Readers comparing sports betting UK markets should check the final draw, recent hard-court results and confirmed injury news rather than relying only on a player’s ranking.
Conditions can also affect individual match markets. Day sessions may be played in heavy heat, while evening matches can offer slower and cooler conditions. The surface, scheduled start time and a player’s recent workload may all influence total games, set betting and match winner prices.
Any odds available before the draw could change once potential routes to the final become clear. Betting should remain affordable, and no player’s previous results guarantee the outcome of a match.
Novak Djokovic continues his pursuit of a 25th major
Djokovic remains in contention for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam singles title. He reached the Australian Open final at the start of 2026 before losing to Alcaraz, showing that he can still challenge the leading younger players over five sets.
The Serbian has won four US Open titles, most recently in 2023. His return of serve, movement and ability to manage tense matches remain major assets, particularly during night sessions on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
At 39, recovery between matches will be closely watched. Djokovic may need to avoid long contests during the opening week if he is to have enough energy for the later rounds. His seventh-place position on the entry list also means he could face a higher-ranked opponent before the semi-finals.
Alexander Zverev arrives as a Grand Slam champion
Zverev ended his long wait for a major title at Roland Garros in June. He defeated Flavio Cobolli in five sets in the final, having previously lost Grand Slam finals at the 2020 US Open and 2025 Australian Open.
Winning in Paris may remove some of the pressure that followed him during previous major tournaments. His first serve and backhand are well suited to hard courts, and he has already shown that he can reach the closing stages in New York.
Zverev followed his Roland Garros success by reaching the Wimbledon final, where he lost to Sinner. Those results give him one of the strongest Grand Slam records of the season, although his physical condition after a demanding summer will be an important factor.
American players carrying home expectations
The home crowd will have several leading contenders to support. Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe are among the men capable of making a deep run, while Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova head a strong American group in the women’s draw.
Pegula reached the US Open final in 2024 and is third on the 2026 entry list. Her compact groundstrokes and ability to redirect pace make her effective on hard courts, but she will need to find a way past several proven major champions.
Anisimova returns after finishing runner-up at the 2026 US Open. Her aggressive return game can trouble leading opponents, particularly when she takes the ball early. Shelton and Tiafoe should also receive strong backing during evening matches, where both have previously responded well to the atmosphere.
Emma Raducanu leads British interest in New York
Raducanu’s 2021 victory remains one of the most unexpected results in US Open history. She became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title, completing ten matches without dropping a set.
The British player is directly entered in the 2026 women’s draw alongside Katie Boulter. Raducanu is outside the leading seeds, so she could face a highly ranked opponent early in the tournament. Her experience of winning in New York still makes her a player that seeded opponents may prefer to avoid.
Cameron Norrie and Arthur Fery are direct entrants in the men’s field. Jack Draper was outside the initial main-draw cut at the start of August, leaving him dependent on withdrawals, qualifying or a possible wildcard unless his status changes before the tournament.
US Open mixed doubles adds an early attraction
The mixed doubles championship will be played from 24 to 26 August, before the singles main draw begins. Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz were among the leading names included on the initial entry list.
The event gives spectators competitive tennis during the build-up to the main tournament and allows singles players to adjust to the New York courts. Teams and availability may still change, particularly if players decide to manage their workload before the singles competition.
For the leading contenders, attention will quickly turn to the main draw and the route through seven singles matches. Alcaraz and Sabalenka have titles to defend, while Sinner, Zverev and the new women’s major champions arrive with strong claims of their own. The combination of established winners, home contenders and younger challengers gives the 2026 US Open several credible storylines before the first ball is struck.
