The men's singles draw at this year’s US Open looks more open than ever, with a host of contenders now in the mix after world No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrew due to a knee problem. The Italian’s absence, combined with Carlos Alcaraz’s return from a four‑month wrist injury, has reshaped the tournament’s dynamics and given veteran Novak Djokovic a rare chance to chase a historic 25th Grand Slam title.
Sinner’s injury came just as Alcaraz was preparing to make his comeback at Flushing Meadows. The 20‑year‑old Spaniard had been sidelined for over four months, missing the clay season and the early hard‑court events, but he arrived in New York eager to prove that his game is still among the best in the world. While Alcaraz’s fitness remains a question mark, his presence alone adds a layer of intrigue, especially for fans who remember his rapid ascent to the top of the sport. At 39, Djokovic is poised to break the all‑time Grand Slam record held jointly by Margaret Court.
A victory in New York would give him his 25th major title and move him ahead of the Australian legend. The Serbian’s path, however, is not without obstacles.
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 humid New York summer. Over the past eleven Grand Slams, Djokovic has recorded nine defeats and two retirements, most of which have come at the hands of the younger generation—four losses to Sinner and three to Alcaraz. Former player‑turned‑coach Ryan Harrison explained to Sky Sports Tennis why the fourth seed is crucial for Djokovic.
"If you drop into the 5‑8 seed range, you could be forced to meet three of the top four players before the final, which makes the draw extremely tough," Harrison said. "Being the fourth seed means you control your destiny a little longer, facing only lower‑ranked opponents until the semifinals. At 39, you don’t want to be playing the toughest competition from the very first round." The draw itself is a tapestry of match‑ups that could produce surprise results. In the first round, players such as Safiullin and Brooksby will try to set the tone, while the later rounds feature potential clashes between the likes of Medvedev, Tiafoe, and Zverev.
The tournament’s structure shows a clear pathway for Alcaraz, who sits as the third seed despite missing several key events, and for Zverev, who entered the US Open as the top seed after winning the French Open. Zverev’s situation is particularly compelling. The German, who reached his first Wimbledon final last year before losing to Sinner, has struggled to find consistency on hard courts this season, posting only two wins since Wimbledon. He suffered early exits in Canada and a fourth‑round loss to Tommy Paul in Cincinnati.
Yet Sinner’s withdrawal gives Zverev a unique opportunity: he becomes the first player in ATP history to be seeded first at a major without ever having held the world No. 1 ranking.
"The pressure on Zverev will be massive, but he has shown he can handle big moments, as he did in Paris," noted former British No. 1 Annabel Croft. American hopefuls also have a chance to shine. Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Brandon Nakashima, and Frances Tiafoe—all beneficiaries of Sinner’s exit—are expected to make deep runs.
Youngsters Rafael Jodar and Jakub Mensik add an extra layer of excitement. Jodar, who turned professional only at the start of 2026, has surged to No.
11 in the ATP rankings thanks to his powerful 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, climbing from outside the top 500 a year ago to the brink of the top ten. Frenchman Alexandre Fils, returning from a back injury that sidelined him for the latter part of the 2025 season, is another name to watch. Since his comeback in February, Fils has displayed a potent serve and solid groundstrokes, earning him a spot in the quarter‑finals of the Canadian Open and a finals appearance in Cincinnati.
If he can maintain this form, he could become the first Frenchman to win a Grand Slam singles title since Yannick Noah’s 1983 triumph. The tournament’s schedule also features a series of high‑stakes match‑ups that could decide the champion early on.
For instance, the quarter‑finals could see a showdown between Alcaraz and Bublik, while the semifinals might pit Djokovic against Nakashima or Tiafoe. The final, if the seeds hold, could be a clash between Zverev and a rising star such as Auger‑Aliassime or Cobolli. Beyond the on‑court action, fans can stream the US Open contract‑free on NOW, follow live scores and results, and catch highlights on the Sky Sports app. The network also provides video highlights, player interviews, and expert analysis throughout the two‑week event.
In summary, the withdrawal of Jannik Sinner and the lingering doubts over Alcaraz’s fitness have turned this year’s US Open into a truly open contest. Novak Djokovic stands on the cusp of rewriting history, while Alexander Zverev seeks to cement his place as the first top‑seeded player without ever having been world No. 1. Meanwhile, a new generation of talent—including Jodar, Mensik, and Fils—promises to add fresh storylines and possibly upset the established order.
With the draw now wide open, every match from the first round onward could be a turning point, making the 2026 US Open one of the most unpredictable and exciting Grand Slam events in recent memory.