The men’s singles draw at this year’s US Open looks more open than ever, with several big names eyeing the title while a key contender sits out with injury. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is forced to withdraw after a knee problem, leaving a vacuum that could be filled by anyone from the seasoned veteran Novak Djokovic to the rising Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who is making his return after a lengthy wrist injury layoff.
Alcaraz, who has not played competitive tennis for more than four months, stepped onto the hard courts of Flushing Meadows with a mixture of excitement and caution. His comeback is being closely watched because, despite his youthful vigor, he still carries the lingering effects of his wrist surgery. If he can rediscover his best form, the 23‑year‑old could be a serious threat, but the uncertainty surrounding his fitness adds a layer of intrigue to the tournament. At 39, Novak Djokovic sees perhaps his last realistic chance to equal Margaret Court’s all‑time record of 25 Grand Slam singles titles.
The Serbian has already tied Court in the men’s tally, and a US Open win would push him ahead of the Australian legend. Djokovic’s recent form, however, has been mixed. He suffered a physically taxing loss to Thiago Agustín Tirante in the second round of the Cincinnati Open, raising concerns about his stamina in the sweltering New York heat.
Over the past eleven majors, Djokovic has recorded nine defeats and two retirements, with most of those losses coming at the hands of Sinner or Alcaraz. The absence of Sinner this year could tip the balance in his favour, but the physical demands of a Grand Slam remain a formidable obstacle. The seedings further illustrate how the draw has reshaped itself. Djokovic is projected to be the fourth seed, a position that, according to former player‑turned‑coach Ryan Harrison, could shield him from facing higher‑ranked opponents until the later stages.
Harrison explained that a fourth‑seed placement means the Serbian would likely encounter only lower‑ranked players up to the semifinals, giving him a clearer path to the final. Yet, the unpredictability of the tournament means even lower‑seeded players can cause upsets, especially when the field is as deep as it is this year. Alcaraz, despite his recent injury, remains a fan favourite.
Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft praised his return, noting his ability to electrify crowds with spectacular shot‑making.
Croft highlighted that Alcaraz is currently third in the ATP Race to Turin, a remarkable achievement given the number of top events he missed. Still, the pressure on the Spaniard is immense: no man has successfully defended the US Open title since 2008, and none has ever won it without first playing in the Canadian or Cincinnati Opens. His performance in the early rounds will set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
German champion Alexander Zverev, the reigning French Open winner, has also emerged as a top contender. Zverev entered the US Open as the top seed, a historic first for a player who has never reached the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings.
After a modest post‑Wimbledon run—only two wins since his Wimbledon final appearance—Zverev is eager to rediscover his hard‑court prowess. The German’s recent results include an early exit in Canada and a fourth‑round loss to Tommy Paul in Cincinnati, but the void left by Sinner could provide the impetus he needs to claim his first US Open crown. American hopefuls are also in the mix.
Players such as Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Brandon Nakashima, and Frances Tiafoe (the Cincinnati finalist) are poised to take advantage of the open field. Young talents like Rafael Jodar and Jakub Mensik add another layer of excitement. Jodar, who turned professional only at the start of 2026, has vaulted to No.
11 in the ATP rankings thanks to a powerful forehand and aggressive baseline play. He became the first player born in 2006 or later to reach a Masters 1000 semifinal at the Canadian Open, a testament to his rapid ascent from outside the top 500 just a year ago. Frenchman Arthur Fils, back on tour after a back injury that sidelined him for much of 2025, is another story to watch. His serve, forehand, and backhand have all shown improvement, and he has been consistent across the Masters series.
Croft lauded Fils for his character and on‑court charisma, suggesting he could be the first Frenchman to win a Grand Slam singles title since Yannick Noah in 1983 if he can maintain his momentum. The tournament schedule is packed with high‑stakes matchups.
Early rounds feature players like Safiullin, Brooksby, Faria, Arnaldi, Wu, Bublik, and Paul, while the quarterfinals could see clashes between Shelton, Fils, Lehecka, and Norrie. The semifinals are likely to involve a mix of Djokovic, Medvedev, Tiafoe, Nakashima, and Alcaraz, with the final potentially featuring Zverev, Auger‑Aliassime, Cobolli, De Minaur, or Fritz. Beyond the on‑court drama, fans can stream the US Open contract‑free via NOW, follow live scores, watch highlights, and access video content through the Sky Sports app.
The tournament promises a blend of seasoned champions seeking historic milestones and hungry newcomers eager to make their mark. With Sinner out, Alcaraz returning from injury, and Djokovic chasing a record‑breaking 25th major, the stage is set for one of the most unpredictable and thrilling US Opens in recent memory.