US Open Tennis Begins August 30 With Alcaraz and Sabalenka as Title Favorites

The US Open begins August 30 in Flushing Meadows, Queens, with defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka returning to defend their titles in what promises to be a high-level tournament.

Alcaraz won the men’s title last year and arrives in 2026 with momentum from his strong performance at Wimbledon. Sabalenka has dominated women’s tennis over the past two seasons and enters as the clear favorite in her bracket.

Men’s Draw Preview

Alcaraz’s path to repeating at the US Open faces familiar challenges from Jannik Sinner, who has closed the gap between himself and Alcaraz with strong play throughout 2026. The hard court surface at Flushing Meadows traditionally suits fast-striking players like both Alcaraz and Sinner.

Novak Djokovic‘s absence due to visa issues opens the field for younger players to challenge. The men’s draw features strong depth beyond the favorites, with multiple players capable of reaching the semifinals.

Women’s Draw and Sabalenka’s Dominance

Sabalenka enters as the prohibitive favorite after winning multiple Grand Slams this year. Her powerful baseline game is particularly suited to the hard courts of the US Open, where her aggressive style thrives.

Emerging players like Mirra Andrejeva and other young talents will have opportunities in an increasingly competitive women’s field, though Sabalenka remains the clear title favorite.

The US Open kicks off a six-week tennis stretch that determines the year’s final rankings and sets narratives for 2027.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)

When does the US Open end?

The 2026 US Open runs August 30 through September 13, with finals on the final weekend. The tournament is the last Grand Slam of the calendar year.

References

ESPN. (2026). US Open Tennis Schedule and Predictions. Published August 2026.