The 2026 US Open begins on August 30 in New York, bringing the tennis season’s fourth and final Grand Slam into focus. The tournament has already generated plenty of attention because of the names in the draw, the return of defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz, and the absence of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner from the men’s field.
The women’s draw is led by defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, while the men’s competition is headed by Alexander Zverev after Sinner withdrew with an injury.
With two weeks of Grand Slam tennis ahead, here is what to know about the 2026 US Open, including the tournament schedule, defending champions, players to watch and the biggest storylines.
When Is the 2026 US Open?
The 2026 US Open main draw begins on Sunday, August 30, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.
The singles first round runs from August 30 through September 1. The tournament’s singles competition will continue through the following rounds before the women’s singles final on September 12 and the men’s singles final on September 13.
The US Open is played on hard courts, making movement, serving and the ability to handle long rallies particularly important as players progress through the tournament.
Carlos Alcaraz Returns to Defend His US Open Title
Carlos Alcaraz enters the tournament as the No. 2 seed and defending men’s singles champion.
His road to the title is particularly interesting this year because he is returning after a lengthy absence caused by a wrist injury. According to the official US Open draw preview, Alcaraz sustained the injury during the European clay-court season and had been out for roughly five months before returning for the US Open.
That makes his opening matches worth watching closely.
Alcaraz has already established himself as one of the biggest stars in men’s tennis, but a Grand Slam requires several rounds of high-level tennis. The biggest question is whether he can quickly regain his rhythm and physical confidence after such a long competitive break.
If he does, the defending champion could become one of the tournament’s biggest threats again.
Alexander Zverev Takes the Top Seed
With Jannik Sinner withdrawing, Alexander Zverev is the No. 1 seed in the men’s singles draw.
The German leads the top half of the draw, while Alcaraz is the No. 2 seed in the bottom half. The men’s field also includes former US Open champions such as Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic.
Zverev therefore begins the tournament with a major opportunity. A deep run would strengthen his position among the leading players of the current generation, but the draw still contains several experienced Grand Slam contenders.
Jannik Sinner’s Absence Changes the Men’s Draw
One of the biggest stories before the tournament is not about a player taking the court, but one who will not be there.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the 2026 US Open because of an injury. His absence has had a direct effect on the men’s seeding, moving Zverev into the top position and placing Alcaraz at No. 2.
Sinner’s withdrawal also changes the competitive landscape.
Without the world No. 1 in the draw, players such as Zverev, Alcaraz and Djokovic have an additional opportunity to make a deep run. It also removes one of the most anticipated potential matchups from the tournament.
Aryna Sabalenka Begins Her Title Defense
On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka arrives in New York as the defending US Open champion.
Sabalenka has become one of the most consistent major performers on the women’s tour, and another strong showing in New York would add to her growing Grand Slam record.
The official US Open preview lists Sabalenka among the headline names returning for the 2026 tournament, alongside other major contenders including Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula.
Her title defense will be one of the central storylines of the women’s singles competition.
Players to Watch at the 2026 US Open
Carlos Alcaraz
The defending champion is naturally one of the first names to watch.
His five-month layoff makes his situation different from a normal title defense. If Alcaraz finds his best form early, he could quickly become one of the favorites again.
Alexander Zverev
As the top seed, Zverev carries significant expectations.
He has the opportunity to take advantage of an open section of the men’s field and make another serious Grand Slam run.
Novak Djokovic
Djokovic remains one of the most experienced players in the tournament.
His presence adds another layer of difficulty to the men’s draw because he has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to handle the pressure of Grand Slam tennis.
Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka’s title defense gives the women’s tournament one of its clearest storylines.
The question is not simply whether she can win another major, but whether she can handle the pressure that comes with returning to the tournament as the defending champion.
Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff is another major name to watch in New York.
Her athleticism, court coverage and experience at the highest level make her a serious threat in a tournament where momentum can change quickly from one round to the next.
Jessica Pegula
Pegula is also part of the strong women’s field expected to compete for the title. Her experience and consistency make her a player capable of creating problems for higher-profile opponents.
The Biggest Storylines at the US Open
Can Alcaraz win after his long layoff?
This may be the biggest question in the men’s draw.
Alcaraz is defending his title, but he is doing so after missing several months because of a wrist injury. His early matches should provide the first indication of how close he is to his best level.
Can Zverev make the most of the No. 1 seed?
Zverev now has the highest seeding in the men’s draw.
That brings an easier path on paper, but it also brings expectations. The pressure will increase with every round he survives.
Who can challenge Sabalenka?
Sabalenka begins her title defense with plenty of competition around her.
The women’s field includes several established Grand Slam contenders, meaning she will need to maintain a high level across multiple rounds rather than relying on one or two standout performances.
How will the men’s draw change without Sinner?
Sinner’s withdrawal has removed one of the tournament’s biggest potential title contenders.
It also means the other leading players have a different route through the draw. The effect could become especially important during the later rounds, when the remaining contenders begin facing each other.
How Does the US Open Work?
The US Open singles tournament uses a knockout format.
Players must win their matches to advance to the next round. A loss eliminates a player from the singles competition.
The men’s and women’s singles draws each contain 128 players in the main draw, with competitors progressing through the first round, second round, third round, fourth round, quarterfinals, semifinals and final.
That format makes consistency extremely important. A player may have a difficult opening match, recover in the next round and eventually find their best tennis in the second week.
What Makes the US Open Different?
The New York setting is part of the tournament’s identity.
Matches are played at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, where the atmosphere can become particularly intense during the night sessions.
Arthur Ashe Stadium is the tournament’s largest stadium and hosts many of the biggest matches.
For players, however, the challenge remains the same: survive round after round against opponents who have also spent years preparing for the biggest stage in tennis.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 US Open starts with several questions rather than one obvious storyline.
Carlos Alcaraz is trying to defend his title after returning from a long injury absence. Alexander Zverev enters as the new men’s No. 1 seed after Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal. On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka begins her own title defense with a strong field chasing her.
That combination makes the opening rounds especially interesting.
The tournament runs from August 30 into September, giving fans nearly two weeks of matches to see which contenders handle the pressure, which players produce surprises and who is still standing when the final weekend arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 US Open start?
The 2026 US Open main draw begins on August 30, 2026, in New York. The singles first round runs from August 30 through September 1.
Who is the defending US Open men’s champion?
Carlos Alcaraz is the defending men’s singles champion. He enters the 2026 tournament as the No. 2 seed.
Who is the defending women’s US Open champion?
Aryna Sabalenka is the defending women’s singles champion.
Why is Jannik Sinner not playing at the 2026 US Open?
Jannik Sinner withdrew from the tournament because of an injury. His withdrawal resulted in Alexander Zverev becoming the men’s No. 1 seed.
Who is the No. 1 seed at the 2026 US Open?
Alexander Zverev is the No. 1 seed in the men’s singles draw after Sinner’s withdrawal.
Where is the US Open played?
The tournament is held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.
Who are the players to watch?
Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic are among the major names in the men’s draw, while Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula are among the leading women’s players to watch.
Sources
- US Open — Official Tournament Site
- US Open — 2026 Men’s Singles Draw Preview
- WTA — US Open 2026 Dates, Draws and Schedule
- US Open — 2026 Players Preview
Updated: August 30, 2026