The men’s singles draw at this year’s US Open looks more open than ever, with a mix of seasoned champions and hungry newcomers all eyeing the title. The top‑seeded world No.
1, Jannik Sinner, has been forced to withdraw after a knee injury, removing a major obstacle for the rest of the field. Meanwhile, the young Spanish phenom Carlos Alcaraz is finally back on the court at Flushing Meadows after a four‑month lay‑off caused by a wrist problem, but questions remain about his match fitness and whether he can regain his pre‑injury form in time for the hard‑court slam.
Adding to the intrigue is the 39‑year‑old Novak Djokovic, who sees perhaps his best chance to claim a record‑tying 25th Grand Slam singles title. The Serbian superstar is chasing Margaret Court’s all‑time tally and, with Sinner out and Alcaraz still nursing lingering concerns, the odds are tilting in his favor for a historic moment. Djokovic’s recent physical struggle—a second‑round loss to Thiago Agustín Tirante at the Cincinnati Open—has raised doubts about his stamina in New York’s summer heat, yet his experience and resilience keep him a formidable contender. In the past eleven majors since his last US Open triumph, Djokovic has lost nine matches that went the distance and has withdrawn or retired twice.
Remarkably, eight of those defeats came at the hands of either Sinner (four times) or Alcaraz (three times), underscoring how much the absence of those two players could benefit his campaign. The tournament’s seedings also play a crucial role. Former player‑turned‑coach Ryan Harrison explained to Sky Sports Tennis that holding the fourth seed is strategically vital. "If you fall into the 5‑8 seed range you could be forced to meet a higher‑ranked opponent as early as the quarter‑finals, then again in the semis and the final.
Being fourth means you control your draw longer, facing players ranked behind you at least until the semis." Alcaraz, who completed the career Grand Slam as the youngest ever, suffered a wrist injury that kept him out of the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon. He returned to the tour, won a second Wimbledon title, and now faces the challenge of translating that success onto the hard courts of New York after a lengthy recovery. His form will be a key storyline, especially as he is currently third in the ATP Race to Turin despite missing several key events.
Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft praised Alcaraz’s return, saying, "He’s a special player who lights up the crowd with his shot‑making. If he can navigate the early rounds, the tournament could belong to him." Yet the historical odds are against him: no man has defended the US Open since 2008, and no champion has ever won the title without playing in either the Canada Masters or the Cincinnati Open beforehand. German Alexander Zverev, the reigning French Open champion, has been seeded first for the US Open—a rare feat because he has never reached the world No.
1 ranking. Zverev’s recent form has been mixed; he suffered early exits in Canada and a fourth‑round loss to Tommy Paul in Cincinnati.
Nonetheless, Sinner’s withdrawal gives him a clear path to re‑establish his hard‑court credentials. Croft noted, "Zverev handled the pressure of winning Roland‑Garros brilliantly; now he has a chance to prove himself on the biggest American stage." American hopefuls will also be in the mix.
Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Brandon Nakashima, and Frances Tiafoe—all benefitting from the Italian’s (Sinner’s) absence—are positioned to make deep runs. Young talents such as Spanish rookie Rafael Jodar and Czech prodigy Jakub Mensik are also on the radar.
Jodar, who turned pro in early 2026, has vaulted from outside the top 500 to a current No. 11 ranking, thanks to a thunderous forehand and aggressive baseline play.
He made history as the first player born in 2006 or later to reach a Masters 1000 semifinal at the Canadian Open, and he is now knocking on the door of the top‑10. Frenchman Arthur Fils, returning from a back injury that sidelined him for the latter part of the 2025 season, has shown promising signs.
His powerful serve and solid two‑handed backhand have helped him climb back into contention, and he could become the first Frenchman to win a Grand Slam singles title since Yannick Noah in 1983. Croft expressed confidence, stating, "Fils has been consistent across the Masters events; his character and style add a lot to the court." The draw itself is packed with potential match‑ups.
Early rounds feature players like Safiullin, Brooksby, and Wu, while later stages could see clashes between Djokovic, Medvedev, Tiafoe, and Nakashima. The quarterfinals may involve a mix of seasoned veterans—Shelton, Fils, Lehecka, Norrie—and rising stars such as Zverev, Auger‑Aliassime, Cobolli, De Minaur, and Fritz. In summary, the 2026 US Open men’s singles is shaping up as a true open contest.
With the world No. 1 sidelined, a returning Alcaraz still finding his rhythm, and Djokovic eyeing a historic 25th major, the tournament promises high drama, unexpected breakthroughs, and perhaps the emergence of a new generation of champions. Fans can stream the event contract‑free on NOW, follow live scores and highlights on Sky Sports, and stay updated via the Sky Sports app for video, news, and analysis as the competition unfolds at Flushing Meadows.