The US Open has a reputation for being the most unpredictable of the four Grand Slam tournaments. By the time the event rolls around, the season is already eight months in, and many players are nursing lingering aches and injuries after a grueling tour schedule. The hard‑court surface adds another layer of complexity: unlike clay or grass, which some players love and others loathe, the hard courts tend to suit a broader range of styles, making the field feel even more open.
This year’s edition stretches over three weeks. The opening week, dubbed "fan week," featured a host of attractions: five‑time champion Roger Federer made a special appearance in an exhibition match, while Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik celebrated their first Grand Slam triumph by winning the mixed‑doubles title.
The week also marked the return of six‑time champion Serena Williams to Flushing Meadows and saw a qualifying draw that included fifteen British players. The main draw kicks off on Sunday and includes nine British competitors, a record five of whom earned their spots through qualifying.
On the men’s side, the top seed is Sascha Zverev, who steps into the role vacated by the injured Jannik Sinner. Zverev, a French Open champion earlier this year, arrives with an impressive 18‑2 Grand Slam record for the season and will be looking to add a hard‑court major to his résumé. The women’s draw is led by world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who is aiming to defend her title and, if she can string together three consecutive US Open victories, become the first woman since Serena Williams to achieve that feat.
Breaking down the men’s bracket, the top half is anchored by Zverev. The draw has been relatively kind to the German, who will face opponents such as former finalist Taylor Fritz, French Open runner‑up Flavio Cobolli, and last year’s semi‑finalist Félix Auger‑Aliassime. Zverev’s recent form in the Masters 1000 events has been mixed, and the question remains whether he can handle the pressure of being the top seed at a Slam. In the second quarter, Australian sixth seed Alex de Minaur is projected to meet Zverev in the quarters.
De Minaur’s path is peppered with challenges, including a possible clash with Fritz, Cobolli, or Auger‑Aliassime, but he does not have a current world No. 1 or a defending champion in his immediate section. The bottom half of the men’s draw is stacked with firepower.
All five former US Open champions—Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Stan Wawrinka and Marin Čilić—are positioned there. Djokovic’s quarter contains Medvedev, Cincinnati finalist Francis Tiafoe, Canadian finalist Brandon Nakashima, and a second‑round meeting that could involve either Wawrinka or Matteo Berrettini.
The final quarter is headed by defending champion Alcaraz, whose section includes Canada champion Ben Shelton, Cincinnati champion Arthur Fils, Alexander Bublik, Tommy Paul and hard‑hitting Roman Safiullin, who has already defeated Alcaraz in the past and poses a significant test for the Spaniard, who has not played a singles match since April. Turning to the women’s side, Sabalenka’s first‑round draw appears manageable, but the quarter‑finals could bring a showdown with Wimbledon champion Linda Nosková. Sabalenka has struggled with form, posting a 17‑7 record since April and not having captured a title since March, leaving her vulnerable despite her high ranking. The second quarter is dominated by Jessica Pegula, who is in contention for the world No.
1 spot if she can win the tournament. However, her path is fraught with obstacles: Elina Svitolina, Karolina Muchova, Sorana Cîrstea, and a possible second‑round clash with former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin or two‑time US Open champion Venus Williams.
In the bottom half, former US Open champion and current Cincinnati champion Coco Gauff leads the top of the section. Gauff also has a chance to finish the year as world No. 1, but only by securing the title.
Awaiting her are last year’s finalist Amanda Anisimova, French Open champion Mirra Andreeva, Washington champion Alex Eala, and a potentially tricky early meeting with Paula Badosa. The toughest quarter may belong to Elena Rybakina’s section, which also houses Iga Świątek, Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys and Belinda Bencic.
Rybakina could become the new world No. 1 by reaching the semifinals, but she is battling a lingering left‑ankle/Achilles issue that flared up in Cincinnati and forced her to withdraw against Świątek. Her recent practice sessions have looked tentative, so her ability to stay healthy will be a key factor.
British hopes are represented by several players. Arthur Fery, fresh off a Wimbledon semi‑final run and a Winston‑Salem final appearance, makes his US Open debut against 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti. Musetti, who has regained form in Cincinnati, is still recovering from a back injury, giving Fery a realistic chance. Fery shares the top quarter with Zverev and Jan Choinski, who will meet Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.
Cameron Norrie, seeded 29th, lands in the bottom half with Alcaraz. He opens against Frenchman Luca van Assche, with the prospect of meeting Miomir Kecmanović or Dennis Shapovalov in the second round. In total, nine British players are in the main draw, five of them qualifiers.
Among the qualifiers are Toby Samuel (world No. 110), who draws Czech Tomas Macháč (world No.
58), and Harry Wendleken, who endured nine sets and nine hours of qualifying to earn a spot against 21st seed Luciano Darderi. Jacob Fearnley, a lucky loser, will face Spaniard Martín Landaluce. On the women’s side, Katie Boulter entered directly and faces American wildcard Carol Young‑Suh Lee, a 24‑year‑old making her Grand Slam debut at a career‑high ranking of 140.
A win would likely set up a second‑round match against mixed‑doubles champion and Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova. Harriet Dart qualified by defeating Heather Watson and will meet world No. 54 Peyton Stearns, a recent Cincinnati opponent. Fran Jones also qualified and will take on Poland’s Magda Linette in their first meeting.
Serena Williams will still be present at the tournament, this time partnering with sister Venus in the doubles draw after receiving a wildcard. The duo last played together at a Grand Slam in 2022.
Prize money has risen again this year: both men’s and women’s singles champions will receive $5.5 million (£4.7 million), while first‑round participants are guaranteed $140,000 (£120,000). Predicting the champion is always a gamble, but my personal bet leans toward Zverev capturing his second Grand Slam title, given his favorable draw. On the women’s side, I see Naomi Osaka breaking through to claim her third US Open crown and her first at Flushing Meadows since 2020.
The Sky Sports Tennis team will broadcast 15 days of nonstop action starting Sunday at 3 pm from New York, featuring commentary from legends such as Martina Navratilova, Tim Henman, Marion Bartoli, Laura Robson, Ryan Harrison and Naomi Broady. The US Open will be live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app, and the Laver Cup will follow at The O2 in London from September 25‑27.