The US Open has long earned a reputation as the most unpredictable of the four Grand Slam tournaments. Held at the tail end of a grueling season, it arrives when players have already logged eight months of nonstop competition, often arriving with lingering aches, bruises, and the wear and tear that comes from a relentless tour schedule. This timing means that many athletes are not at their physical peak, making the outcomes harder to forecast than at the other majors.
Hard courts also add a layer of complexity. While some players love or loathe the slower clay or the slick grass, the hard surface at Flushing Meadows is considered a neutral ground that suits a broad range of playing styles. It is therefore a venue where more competitors feel they have a realistic shot at success, further contributing to the tournament's open-ended nature. The US Open now stretches over three weeks.
The opening week, often dubbed "fan week," is filled with exhibition matches, promotional events, and the qualifying rounds. This year’s fan week featured a nostalgic return of five‑time champion Roger Federer for an exhibition, while Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik captured their first Grand Slam title by winning the mixed doubles crown. The week also marked the comeback of six‑time champion Serena Williams to the grounds of Flushing Meadows, and the qualifiers saw a notable British presence, with fifteen UK players entering the draw.
When the main draw kicked off on Sunday, nine British players were on the slate, a record five of whom had battled through qualifying. On the men’s side, the top seed is Sascha Zverev, who steps into the spotlight in the absence of Jannik Sinner, who is sidelined with a knee injury. The women’s draw is led by world No.
1 Aryna Sabalenka, who arrives with the dual aim of defending her title and preserving her top‑ranking status. Looking at the men’s bracket, the top half is anchored by Zverev. This will be his first time as a Grand Slam top seed, and he comes into the tournament riding the confidence of a French Open triumph earlier in the year. His record at majors this season stands at an impressive 18‑2, suggesting he could be a serious contender.
However, the pressure of being the highest‑seeded player and his early exits from both Masters 1000 events this year raise questions about his mental resilience under the spotlight. In the second quarter of the draw, Australian Alex de Minaur, the sixth seed, is projected to clash with Zverev in the quarter‑finals if both navigate their early matches. De Minaur’s path does not include the likes of Novak Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz, but he will have to contend with former finalist Taylor Fritz, French Open finalist Flavio Cobolli, and last year’s semi‑finalist Félix Auger‑Aliassime, all of whom pose significant threats.
The bottom half of the men’s draw is arguably the most stacked, featuring all five recent US Open champions: Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Stan Wawrinka, and Marin Čilić. Djokovic’s quarter includes Medvedev, Cincinnati finalist Francis Tiafoe, Canadian finalist Brandon Nakashima, and a potential second‑round showdown with either Wawrinka or Matteo Berrettini. Beyond that, the defending champion Alcaraz occupies the final quarter, surrounded by a strong cohort that includes Canadian champion Ben Shelton, Cincinnati champion Arthur Fils, Alexander Bublik, Tommy Paul, and the powerful Roman Safiullin, who has previously bested Alcaraz and represents a formidable obstacle for the Spaniard, especially given Alcaraz’s lack of singles matches since April.
On the women’s side, Sabalenka’s storyline dominates the first quarter. She is not only chasing a third consecutive US Open title—a feat not achieved since Serena Williams—but also fighting to retain the world No. 1 ranking. On paper her draw looks manageable until the quarter‑finals, where she could encounter Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.
Yet her recent form raises concerns: she has gone 17‑7 since April and has not captured a title since March, leaving her vulnerable in a tournament where she has yet to claim a Grand Slam in 2026. The second quarter is highlighted by Jessica Pegula, who is in contention to finish the event as world No.
1. For Pegula, the only path to the top spot is to win the championship outright. Her section is littered with dangers, including Elina Svitolina, Karolina Muchova, Sorana Cîrstea, and a potential second‑round clash with former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin or two‑time US Open winner Venus Williams. Coco Gauff, the reigning Cincinnati champion and former US Open champion, leads the top of the bottom half.
Like Pegula, Gauff can only claim the world No. 1 ranking by securing the title. Awaiting her in the third quarter are last year’s finalist Amanda Anisimova, French Open champion Mirra Andreeva, Washington champion Alex Eala, and a tricky early encounter with Paula Badosa.
The final quarter is perhaps the toughest, featuring Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys, and Belinda Bencic. Rybakina stands to become the new world No. 1 if she reaches the semi‑finals, but she is managing a lingering left‑ankle/Achilles issue that flared up in Cincinnati and forced her withdrawal against Swiatek.
Her recent practice sessions have looked tentative, leaving fans uncertain whether she can stay healthy enough to claim the top ranking for the first time. Turning to the British contingent, Arthur Fery is making his US Open debut after a whirlwind summer that saw him reach the Wimbledon semi‑finals and the final of the Winston‑Salem event, where he fell to third‑seed Ignacio Buse. Now the British No.
1, Fery opens his US Open campaign against 13th‑seed Lorenzo Musetti, who has found form in Cincinnati but is still recovering from a back injury. Fery shares the top quarter with Zverev and Jan Choinski, who will meet Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp.
Cameron Norrie, the other British player who qualified directly, sits in the bottom half alongside Alcaraz. Seeded 29th, Norrie opens against Frenchman Luca van Assche, with a potential second‑round clash against Miomir Kecmanović or Dennis Shapovalov. In total, nine British players feature in the main draw, a record five of whom earned their spots through qualifying. Among the qualifiers are Toby Samuel (world No.
110), who will face Czech Tomas Macháč (world No. 58); Harry Wendleken, who endured nine sets and nine hours to secure his place and will meet 21st seed Luciano Darderi; and Jacob Fearnley, a lucky loser returning for his second US Open, slated to play Spaniard Martin Landaluce.
On the women’s side, Katie Boulter is the sole direct entrant from the UK and enjoys a favorable first‑round draw against American wildcard Carol Young Suh Lee, a 24‑year‑old ranked 140th making her Grand Slam debut. A win would likely set up a second‑round encounter with mixed‑doubles champion and Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova.
Harriet Dart, another British qualifier, earned her spot by defeating Heather Watson in the final qualifying round and will meet American Peyton Stearns (world No. 54), a player she previously lost to in Cincinnati but beat during US Open qualifying in 2021. Fran Jones, also qualifying for a second consecutive year, will face Poland’s Magda Linette in their first meeting.
Serena Williams will still be present at Flushing Meadows this year, this time partnering with her sister Venus in the women’s doubles after receiving a wildcard. The duo last played together at a Grand Slam in 2022, and their participation adds another layer of excitement for fans.
Prize money has increased again for 2026. Both the men’s and women’s singles champions will pocket $5.5 million (£4.7 million), while first‑round losers are guaranteed $140,000 (£120,000).
Predicting the champions is always a gamble. My personal forecast gives the men’s title to Sascha Zverev, who I believe can capitalize on his favorable draw to secure his second Grand Slam. On the women’s side, I look beyond the usual suspects and pick Naomi Osaka to capture her third US Open crown and her first at Flushing Meadows since 2020. Starting Sunday at 3 pm, the Sky Sports Tennis team will deliver 15 days of nonstop coverage, broadcasting every point from every court.
Commentary will feature legends such as Martina Navratilova, Tim Henman, Marion Bartoli, Laura Robson, Ryan Harrison, and Naomi Broady. The tournament will be streamed contract‑free on NOW and available via the Sky Sports app, with additional events like the Laver Cup also on the schedule later in September.