Updated: August 1, 2026
The 2026 US Open is approaching with a field featuring the leading players in men’s and women’s tennis. The tournament will run from August 23 through September 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Fan Week begins August 23, qualifying starts August 24 and the singles main draw opens August 30.
The women’s field is led by world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who will attempt to become the first woman since Serena Williams to win three consecutive US Open singles titles. Williams achieved that accomplishment from 2012 through 2014. Sabalenka’s power, experience and recent success in New York make her the player everyone else must overcome.
Elena Rybakina enters as the world No. 2 and reigning Australian Open champion. Her serve and first-strike tennis are particularly effective on hard courts. American contenders include Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova. Pegula is the highest-ranked American in the initial entry lists at No. 3, while Gauff returns as the 2023 champion.
On the men’s side, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner leads the field, while defending champion Carlos Alcaraz will pursue his third US Open title. Their developing rivalry has become one of the central attractions in men’s tennis, and both possess the athleticism and hard-court skills needed to survive a demanding two-week tournament.
Alexander Zverev arrives as the world No. 2 and 2026 Roland Garros champion. Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, remains one of the most important players in the draw. The former world No. 1 has won 24 major singles titles, including four US Open championships. His experience and ability to manage five-set matches ensure that he remains a contender regardless of ranking.
American men hoping to challenge include Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz. Fritz reached the US Open final in 2024, while Shelton advanced to the semifinals in 2023. Their performances will be closely followed by a home crowd eager to see an American men’s champion emerge.
The initial singles field includes 17 former Grand Slam champions and 10 previous US Open champions. The United States leads all countries with 28 players receiving direct entry—14 women and 14 men. Final seedings will be determined closer to the tournament, and withdrawals or wild-card selections could still change the field.
Mixed doubles will again receive significant attention. Announced teams include Sabalenka with Djokovic, Rybakina with Fritz, Iga Swiatek with Casper Ruud, Pegula with Jack Draper, Naomi Osaka with Kei Nishikori and Anisimova with Learner Tien. The competition begins during Fan Week, with the semifinals and final scheduled for August 26.
The main singles draw begins Sunday, August 30, while the championship sessions are scheduled for September 12 and 13. Match schedules and court assignments will be released during the event and remain subject to change.
The biggest storylines will include Sabalenka’s pursuit of history, Alcaraz’s title defense, Sinner’s attempt to strengthen his position at No. 1 and the American challenge led by Pegula, Gauff, Anisimova, Fritz and Shelton.
