US Open Tennis 2026 begins its main-draw singles action on Sunday, August 30, with Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic, Coco Gauff and other major stars leading the field at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. The tournament runs through Sunday, September 13, with the singles champions to be crowned at Flushing Meadows.
The 2026 tournament has already produced significant storylines before the first full day of singles competition. Jannik Sinner has withdrawn because of injury, Alcaraz is returning from a lengthy wrist injury absence, and Djokovic is pursuing a record 25th Grand Slam singles title. On the women’s side, defending champion Sabalenka remains the top seed, while Gauff enters New York after winning the Cincinnati Open.
US Open Tennis 2026 Dates and Schedule
The overall 2026 US Open runs from August 23 through September 13. Fan Week and qualifying events occupied the opening portion of the tournament calendar, while the main singles draws begin August 30.
The key dates for U.S. tennis fans are:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Main-draw singles begins | August 30 |
| First-round singles | August 30–31 |
| Tournament continues | September 1–12 |
| Women’s singles final | September 12 |
| Men’s singles final | September 13 |
The official schedule lists Day 1 action beginning at noon Eastern at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Other major courts, including Louis Armstrong Stadium, also host first-round matches.
The tournament uses hard courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. The venue remains the centerpiece of the year’s final Grand Slam.
Carlos Alcaraz Returns as Defending Men’s Champion
Carlos Alcaraz enters the 2026 US Open as the defending men’s singles champion and No. 2 seed. His return is one of the tournament’s biggest storylines.
Alcaraz missed approximately four months because of a wrist injury suffered during the European clay-court season. His absence included the French Open and Wimbledon. He returned to competitive action through the revamped US Open mixed doubles event before turning his attention to the singles tournament.
The Spaniard is attempting to win the US Open for the third time in five years. However, his route through the draw is demanding.
Alcaraz is positioned in the bottom half of the men’s bracket alongside several Grand Slam champions. That section includes Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic.
His opening singles opponent is Roman Safiullin. A deeper run could put Alcaraz on a collision course with other elite players before the final.
Novak Djokovic Chasing a Record 25th Grand Slam
Novak Djokovic arrives in New York with a historic objective.
The 39-year-old Serbian has won 24 Grand Slam singles titles. Another major championship would give him 25 and move him beyond Margaret Court’s record total of 24 major singles titles. Djokovic has also won the US Open four times.
Djokovic is competing in his 20th US Open. His experience at Flushing Meadows makes him one of the most closely watched players in the draw.
He begins his 2026 campaign against Argentina’s Mariano Navone. The draw could then lead him toward former US Open champion Stan Wawrinka or Matteo Berrettini in the second round.
Djokovic’s physical condition is another important factor. He experienced difficulties in the heat during his Cincinnati Open campaign and received a medical timeout during his loss there. He said the early Cincinnati exit ultimately gave him additional time to prepare for New York.
Jannik Sinner Withdraws From the 2026 US Open
One of the biggest changes to the men’s field came before the draw.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrew from the US Open because of injury. His absence reshaped the men’s seedings and left Alexander Zverev as the No. 1 seed.
Sinner’s withdrawal also changes the competitive landscape at the top of the bracket. Instead of defending his position as the leading seed, Zverev now heads the men’s singles draw.
Zverev begins against Lorenzo Sonego. His potential path includes difficult opponents such as Lorenzo Musetti, Alex de Minaur and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Alexander Zverev Leads the Men’s Draw
Zverev is the No. 1 seed entering the tournament and is looking to add another Grand Slam title after winning the 2026 French Open. His position at the top of the draw gives him a different route from Alcaraz and Djokovic.
The men’s field still contains several former champions and Grand Slam contenders despite Sinner’s withdrawal.
Among the most notable names are:
- Alexander Zverev
- Carlos Alcaraz
- Novak Djokovic
- Daniil Medvedev
- Stan Wawrinka
- Marin Cilic
- Ben Shelton
- Taylor Fritz
American fans will have particular interest in Shelton and Fritz, both of whom have established themselves as leading U.S. men’s players. The United States had 28 players receive direct entry into the main singles draws, split evenly between 14 men and 14 women.
Aryna Sabalenka Leads the Women’s Field
Aryna Sabalenka enters the women’s singles tournament as the No. 1 seed and defending champion.
She won the 2025 US Open women’s singles title and is now attempting to defend her championship in New York. Her position at the top of the women’s draw gives her a clear target as the tournament begins.
Sabalenka opens against Camila Osorio. Her projected path includes potentially difficult opponents such as Renata Zarazua, Barbora Krejcikova, Diana Shnaider and Linda Noskova.
Sabalenka also participated in the mixed doubles tournament during Fan Week. She and Djokovic were the No. 1 seeds but lost their opening match to Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten.
Coco Gauff Enters With Cincinnati Momentum
Coco Gauff is one of the leading American contenders in the women’s draw.
The 22-year-old arrives in New York after winning the Cincinnati Open. Gauff defeated fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 in the Cincinnati final to claim her second title at the tournament and the 12th singles title of her career.
Gauff is the No. 4 seed at the US Open. She is also a former US Open champion, having won the title in 2023.
Her recent Cincinnati performance provides an important boost heading into New York. She will be among the American players carrying substantial expectations during the tournament.
Her quarter of the draw could also produce a challenging matchup with Amanda Anisimova, another American who has reached a US Open final.
Jessica Pegula Looks for Another Deep Run
Jessica Pegula is another major American storyline at the 2026 US Open.
Pegula reached the 2024 US Open final, where Sabalenka defeated her 7-5, 7-5. Two years later, Pegula believes her game has improved and wants another opportunity to compete for the championship.
She enters the tournament after reaching the Cincinnati final against Gauff. That recent run adds to the belief that Pegula can make another significant push in New York.
Her first-round opponent is Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Pegula’s campaign is one of the most important storylines for American fans following the women’s singles draw.
Iga Swiatek Looks to Build on Recent Improvement
Former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek arrives at the US Open after a difficult season by her standards.
The six-time Grand Slam champion entered the tournament ranked No. 8. She won the Canadian Open earlier in August by defeating Elena Rybakina, ending a title drought and providing confidence before New York.
Swiatek also reached the Cincinnati semifinals before losing to Pegula.
Her opening US Open opponent is Wang Xiyu. Swiatek won the tournament in 2022 and will attempt to advance beyond the recent early-round exits that have prevented her from making another deep run in New York.
Venus Williams Returns to the US Open
Venus Williams is another major American name in the 2026 field.
Williams is scheduled to make her 26th US Open main-draw appearance. Her longevity remains one of the notable stories surrounding this year’s tournament.
She is scheduled to face fellow American Sofia Kenin in the opening round.
The matchup adds another all-American storyline to the first day of singles competition at Flushing Meadows.
Stan Wawrinka Begins His Final US Open
Stan Wawrinka is competing at the 2026 US Open during the final season of his professional career.
The Swiss star won the US Open in 2016, defeating Djokovic in four sets. That victory completed his collection of three Grand Slam singles titles. His other major championships came at the 2014 Australian Open and 2015 French Open.
At 41, Wawrinka is now preparing for what is expected to be his final appearance at Flushing Meadows.
His 2016 victory remains one of the defining moments in his career. A decade later, his presence gives the 2026 tournament an important connection to US Open history.
Record $108 Million US Open Prize Money
The 2026 US Open features a record $108 million prize-money pool.
That represents a major increase from $90 million in 2025 and $75 million in 2024. The men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive $5.5 million.
Every player who reaches the 128-player singles main draw is guaranteed at least $140,000.
The record prize pool comes amid continuing discussions between players and Grand Slam organizers about compensation and revenue sharing. The USTA has introduced additional player-support measures but has not adopted the revenue-sharing model sought by some players.
For the singles champions, however, the immediate prize is clear: a record $5.5 million payday and one of tennis’s most prestigious trophies.
US Open Tennis 2026: What Fans Should Watch
Several major storylines will shape the tournament as the first round gets underway.
- Alcaraz’s return: The defending men’s champion is back after a four-month injury absence.
- Djokovic’s record attempt: He is chasing his 25th Grand Slam singles championship.
- Sinner’s absence: The world No. 1 has withdrawn because of injury.
- Zverev’s opportunity: The German becomes the men’s top seed.
- Sabalenka’s defense: The women’s No. 1 seed is trying to retain her US Open crown.
- Gauff’s momentum: The American enters after winning Cincinnati.
- Pegula’s opportunity: The former finalist wants another deep run in New York.
- Swiatek’s comeback: The 2022 champion arrives after winning the Canadian Open.
- Wawrinka’s farewell: The 2016 champion is competing during his final professional season.
How to Follow the 2026 US Open
For U.S. viewers, ESPN is providing the tournament’s primary television and streaming coverage. ESPN’s coverage begins with the main-draw action on August 30 and continues throughout the tournament.
The official US Open website also provides live scores, schedules, draws, results and match information throughout the tournament.
With the singles main draw now underway, the tournament has moved into its most important phase. Every match from this point can reshape the championship picture, particularly in a year when injuries, returning champions and a crowded group of contenders have created an unusually compelling field.
The 2026 US Open therefore begins with established champions seeking more history, Americans looking for home-court success and a new generation trying to break through on one of tennis’s biggest stages.
What are your predictions for the 2026 US Open champions? Share your thoughts and stay tuned for the latest tournament updates.