7 Min

US Open 2026: Everything you need to know about the year's final Grand Slam

The tennis world turns its attention to New York this weekend as the 2026 US Open gets under way at Flushing Meadows, bringing together the sport's biggest stars, emerging talents and a handful of returning legends.

August 29, 2026

29 August 2026

The tennis world turns its attention to New York this weekend as the 2026 US Open gets under way at Flushing Meadows, bringing together the sport's biggest stars, emerging talents and a handful of returning legends.

The year's fourth and final Grand Slam begins with the main draw on Sunday, August 30, and runs through to the men's singles final on September 13.

The tournament has already produced one major result, with Czech duo Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik winning the mixed doubles title on Wednesday after defeating Switzerland's Belinda Bencic and Italy's Flavio Cobolli.

Here is a guide to the biggest storylines, leading contenders, schedule and prize money at this year's US Open.

When and where is the US Open?

The tournament is being staged at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.

The main draw runs from August 30 to September 13, with the latter stages scheduled as follows:

Quarterfinals: September 8
Women's semifinals: September 10
Men's semifinals: September 11
Women's final: September 12
Men's final: September 13

Who are the top seeds?

Women's singles

Aryna Sabalenka
Elina Rybakina
Jessica Pegula
Coco Gauff
Mirra Andreeva
Karolina Muchova
Linda Noskova
Iga Swiatek
Amanda Anisimova
Elina Svitolina

Men's singles

Alexander Zverev
Carlos Alcaraz
Felix Auger-Aliassime
Alex de Minaur
Ben Shelton
Novak Djokovic
Daniil Medvedev
Flavio Cobolli
Taylor Fritz
Alexander Bublik

Sinner's absence changes the men's draw

World number one Jannik Sinner is one of the tournament's most notable absentees after withdrawing because of a right knee injury.

The Italian, who has been sidelined since winning Wimbledon, also missed the hard-court events in Montreal and Cincinnati as he attempted to recover in time for New York.

His withdrawal means fans will miss another chapter of the increasingly famous rivalry between Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

Alcaraz returns to defend his title

Alcaraz heads into the tournament seeking to successfully defend his US Open crown after missing around four months because of a wrist injury.

With Sinner unavailable, the Spaniard immediately becomes one of the leading contenders to win the men's title and claim a third US Open championship.

However, Wimbledon champion Alexander Zverev will also be among the favourites after winning his first Grand Slam title in June.

Zverev's preparation suffered a setback when he was eliminated in the fourth round at Cincinnati last week.

Frenchman Arthur Fils could provide a surprise challenge. The 23rd seed arrives in New York after defeating American Frances Tiafoe to win his first Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati.

Djokovic chasing Grand Slam history

Novak Djokovic continues his pursuit of an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title.

The 39-year-old Serbian has been stuck on 24 major titles since winning the US Open in 2023, but has remained a contender at the biggest tournaments.

Djokovic reached the Australian Open final earlier this year and advanced to the Wimbledon semifinals.

His physical condition will nevertheless be closely watched after he struggled with the intense humidity during the Cincinnati Open.

Serena and Venus Williams return

One of the biggest attractions at this year's tournament will be the return of Serena and Venus Williams to the doubles court.

Serena, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, was initially paired with Alcaraz in the mixed doubles. Their high-profile partnership ended in the quarterfinals when they lost to Bencic and Cobolli.

Serena and Venus have also been awarded a wildcard into the women's doubles competition.

The sisters have played together at the US Open nine times, winning the title in 1999 and again in 2009.

Venus has also received a wildcard for the women's singles draw.

Wawrinka given late wildcard

Former world number three Stan Wawrinka will make his appearance after receiving a last-minute wildcard.

The 2016 US Open champion had initially been left off the wildcard list during what is expected to be his farewell season.

Following an outpouring of support from fans, tournament organisers awarded the Swiss veteran a place in the draw on Wednesday.

Young stars to watch

French teenager Moise Kouame attracted attention earlier this year when he became the youngest male player in 17 years to win a Grand Slam match at the French Open.

The 17-year-old, however, was unable to reach the US Open main draw after losing in qualifying to American Nishesh Basavareddy.

Another player attracting considerable attention is the Philippines' Alex Eala.

The 21-year-old claimed her first WTA title at the Washington Open this month and has emerged as one of the rising stars of women's tennis.

Eala was also given a wildcard to play mixed doubles alongside Auger-Aliassime, but the pair lost in the opening round to married couple Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina.

She will also appear at the Stars of the Open exhibition at Arthur Ashe Stadium alongside Joao Fonseca, Iva Jovic and Learner Tien.

Sabalenka faces strong women's field

World number one Aryna Sabalenka will attempt to win the US Open for a third consecutive year.

The Belarusian will face stiff competition from Coco Gauff, who is targeting another championship in New York after winning her maiden US Open title in 2023.

Sabalenka has endured a difficult run of results in recent months, however, suffering defeats in the fourth round at Cincinnati, the Toronto Masters and Wimbledon, before exiting Roland Garros in the quarterfinals.

Rybakina will also have plenty at stake. The world number two has 8,141 ranking points, putting her within striking distance of Sabalenka's 8,575.

Jessica Pegula, the oldest player in the women's top 10 at 32, will be hoping to continue her strong record in New York after reaching the semifinals and final during the past two years.

French Open champion Mirra Andreeva is another major threat. The Russian teenager won her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros this year and enters the US Open at a career-high ranking of fifth.

She has reached the fourth round in New York previously but will be looking to progress further this time.

Federer rules out comeback

Roger Federer will not be making a competitive return to tennis.

The 45-year-old Swiss great has ruled out a comeback similar to Serena Williams' return to the court.

Federer did make a brief appearance in New York this week, but only for exhibition matches before travelling to Newport, Rhode Island, where he is due to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Record prize money on offer

A record total prize pool of $108 million is being offered at this year's US Open.

Singles prize money

Winner: $5.5 million
Finalist: $2.8 million
Semifinalist: $1.45 million
Quarterfinalist: $780,000
Round of 16: $480,000
Round of 32: $290,000
Round of 64: $190,000
Round of 128: $140,000
Qualifying Round of 32: $66,000
Qualifying Round of 64: $48,000
Qualifying Round of 128: $32,000

Doubles prize money per pair

Winner: $1 million
Finalist: $500,000
Semifinalist: $250,000
Quarterfinalist: $125,000
Round of 16: $75,000
Round of 32: $45,000
Round of 64: $30,000

Who is missing?

Sinner is the biggest men's absentee, but he is not the only prominent player missing from the tournament.

Brazilian youngster Joao Fonseca, ranked 26th in the ATP rankings, will not compete, while Britain's Jack Draper, ranked 141st, is also absent.

On the women's side, former US Open champion Emma Raducanu, Canada's world number 15 Victoria Mboko and American Hailey Baptiste, ranked 34th, are among the notable players missing.

With defending champions, Grand Slam winners, established stars and emerging teenagers all competing, the 2026 US Open promises two weeks of high-profile tennis in New York.