The men’s singles draw at this year’s US Open looks more open than ever, with several high‑profile names vying for the title now that world No.1 Jannik Sinner is sidelined by injury. Carlos Alcaraz, fresh from a lengthy wrist rehabilitation, has finally stepped back onto the hard courts of Flushing Meadows after more than four months away, while Novak Djokovic, the 39‑year‑old Serbian, sees a rare chance to capture a historic 25th Grand Slam singles trophy. Djokovic is chasing a record that would put him level with Margaret Court for the most major titles in tennis history, and Sinner’s absence, combined with lingering concerns over Alcaraz’s fitness, could tip the scales in his favour.
Alcaraz entered the tournament with the weight of a career Grand Slam already on his shoulders – he became the youngest player ever to complete the set a few years ago – but a recent injury forced him out of the last two majors. Meanwhile, Sinner, who dominated the clay season before an early exit at Roland Garros, has now withdrawn with a knee problem, leaving a void at the top of the field. Alexander Zverev, who finally broke through at the French Open after three runner‑up finishes, also arrives as a serious contender, having been seeded No.1 for the first time in a major without ever having held the world No.1 ranking. Djokovic’s path to New York has not been without hiccups.
He looked vulnerable in his second‑round loss to Thiago Agustín Tirante at the Cincinnati Open, raising doubts about how he will cope with the New York heat. In the eleven Grand Slams since his last major victory, Djokovic has recorded nine defeats and two retirements, with most of those losses coming at the hands of Sinner (four) or Alcaraz (three).
A fourth‑seed placement this week could be crucial for the Serbian; as former player‑turned‑coach Ryan Harrison explained to Sky Sports Tennis, being seeded fourth shields him from meeting higher‑ranked opponents until the semifinals, giving him a clearer route to the final. The draw itself is a tapestry of familiar faces and emerging talents.
Early rounds feature players such as Safiullin, Brooksby, Faria, Arnaldi, Wu, Bublik, and Paul, while the later stages could see matchups like Shelton versus Fils, or Lehecka against Norrie. The quarter‑finals and beyond are likely to involve a mix of Djokovic, Medvedev, Tiafoe, Nakashima, Zverev, Auger‑Aliassime, Cobolli, De Minaur, and Fritz, depending on how the upsets unfold.
Alcaraz, now ranked third in the ATP Race to Turin despite missing several key tournaments, faces a daunting challenge. No man has defended the US Open title since 2008, and historically, champions have also competed in the Canadian or Cincinnati events as part of their preparation – a schedule Alcaraz could not follow this year.
Former British No.1 Annabel Croft praised his return, noting his ability to electrify crowds with his shot‑making flair. She believes that if Alcaraz can navigate the early rounds, he could become a major storyline as the tournament progresses. Zverev, the recent French Open champion, arrives as the top seed for the US Open.
After a mixed summer that included a loss in Canada and a fourth‑round exit in Cincinnati, he now has an opportunity to cement his status on hard courts. His unique distinction as the first player ever to be seeded No.1 at a major without ever having held the ATP No.1 ranking adds an extra layer of intrigue.
Croft highlighted Zverev’s mental toughness, recalling how he managed the pressure of winning Roland Garros and suggesting he could translate that resilience to Flushing Meadows. American hopefuls will also look to capitalize on Sinner’s withdrawal. Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Brandon Nakashima, Learner Tien, and Cincinnati finalist Frances Tiafoe are all positioned to make deep runs. Young prospects such as Spaniard Rafael Jodar and Czech Jakub Mensik are generating buzz.
Jodar, who turned professional only at the start of 2026, has surged to No.11 in the rankings thanks to a ferocious forehand and heavy topspin from the baseline. He made history as the first player born in 2006 or later to reach a Masters 1000 semi‑final at the Canadian Open, climbing from outside the top 500 a year ago to the brink of a top‑10 spot. France’s own Arthur Fils, returning from a back injury that kept him out for much of the 2025 season, is another name to watch.
Since his comeback in February, Fils has displayed a potent serve and aggressive groundstrokes, earning him a place in the conversation for a potential first French Grand Slam title since Yannick Noah in 1983. Croft praised his consistency across the Masters series and his charismatic presence on court.
The tournament schedule, broadcast options, and streaming details are also relevant for fans. The US Open can be streamed contract‑free via NOW, while live coverage, scores, and highlights are available on the Sky Sports app.
Viewers are advised to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback. In summary, the 2026 US Open men’s singles draw is a blend of seasoned champions seeking record‑breaking milestones and hungry newcomers eager to seize a rare opening. With Sinner out, Alcaraz returning from injury, Djokovic aiming for a 25th major, and Zverev seeded first, the competition promises high drama, unexpected twists, and the potential for a new champion to emerge from a field that truly feels wide open.