The final Grand Slam of the 2026 tennis season is set to take centre stage in New York as the U.S. Open returns to Flushing Meadows. The tournament runs from August 23 through September 13, with the men’s and women’s singles main draws beginning on August 30. The women’s final is scheduled for September 12, followed by the men’s final on September 13.
Men’s Preview
The biggest storyline entering the tournament is the absence of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who has withdrawn because of a persistent right knee injury. That leaves defending champion Carlos Alcaraz as the central figure in the men’s draw. Alcaraz is returning from a four-month layoff caused by a wrist injury, adding an element of uncertainty despite his status as one of the favourites.
With Sinner out, the field is wide open behind Alcaraz. Players such as Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton, Novak Djokovic and other leading contenders will see an opportunity to challenge for one of the sport’s biggest prizes.
Shelton will carry significant American expectations into his home Grand Slam, while Zverev will be looking to turn his consistency into a breakthrough major title. Alcaraz, however, remains the player everyone will be chasing if he can quickly regain his form and fitness.
Women’s Preview
The women’s tournament could once again produce one of the most competitive Grand Slam fields of the season. Aryna Sabalenka enters as a leading contender, while Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula headline a deep field of challengers. The official entry list also confirms the presence of many of the sport’s top stars.
Gauff will have the advantage of playing in front of an American crowd and arrives with renewed confidence after making significant changes to her serve and overall game. Her progress on the hard courts will be one of the tournament’s major storylines.
Sabalenka’s power game makes her a major threat on the fast hard courts of New York, while Swiatek and Rybakina possess the all-court ability needed to make a deep run. The women’s draw has the potential to be wide open once the second week begins.
Key Storylines
– Can Carlos Alcaraz successfully defend his title?
– How will the men’s draw change without Jannik Sinner?
– Can Ben Shelton deliver a breakthrough Grand Slam performance on home soil?
– Will Coco Gauff challenge for another U.S. Open title?
– Can Aryna Sabalenka hold off a deep group of challengers?
– Which young stars will emerge on the sport’s biggest New York stage?
A Historic Prize Fund
There will also be plenty at stake financially. The 2026 U.S. Open features a record $108 million total prize purse, with the men’s and women’s singles champions each receiving $5.5 million.
Final Word
The 2026 U.S. Open arrives with major uncertainty and enormous opportunity. Sinner’s withdrawal has reshaped the men’s tournament, while Alcaraz’s return from injury adds another layer of intrigue. On the women’s side, a loaded group of elite contenders should create a highly competitive battle for the championship.
With New York’s electric atmosphere, a record prize purse and the final Grand Slam titles of the year on the line, the U.S. Open is poised to deliver two weeks of compelling tennis.
