The United States Tennis Association (USTA) released the official entry list for the 2026 U.S. Open on Tuesday, July 21, headlined by reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic of Serbia, and American star Coco Gauff. The tournament, set to run from Sunday, August 23, through Sunday, September 13, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, will feature a strong field of both established legends and rising talents.
Men's Singles Headliners
Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time U.S. Open champion (2022, 2025) and seven-time Grand Slam winner, headlines the men's draw despite missing competitive tennis since April due to a wrist injury. Alcaraz has not played since the Madrid Open, where he withdrew before his quarterfinal match. According to recent reports, the 23-year-old Spaniard is fully healed and plans to return to the ATP Tour at the Cincinnati Open in August. Alcaraz's absence from the tour has dropped him to No. 3 in the world rankings, but his record at Flushing Meadows—where he defeated Casper Ruud in the 2022 final and Novak Djokovic in a five-set thriller in 2025—makes him a favorite. His explosive style, characterized by ferocious groundstrokes and deft drop shots, has drawn comparisons to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Novak Djokovic, still chasing a record 25th Grand Slam singles title, enters the U.S. Open as the No. 2 seed. The Serbian legend, who turns 39 in May, has had a mixed 2026 season: he won the Australian Open for an 11th time in January, but suffered a shock early exit at the French Open and fell in the Wimbledon final to Jannik Sinner. Djokovic has won the U.S. Open four times (2011, 2015, 2018, 2023) and holds the all-time record for most weeks at world No. 1. His pursuit of a 25th major title—surpassing Margaret Court's all-time record—remains a central narrative in tennis. Djokovic's incredible return-of-serve and mental fortitude make him a perennial contender, though his age and the emergence of younger stars like Alcaraz and Sinner pose challenges.
Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1, comes to New York as the two-time Wimbledon champion (2024, 2025) and the 2024 Australian Open winner. The 24-year-old Italian has been the most consistent player on tour this year, posting a 48-5 record and winning titles in Miami, Rome, and Halle. Sinner's powerful baseline game and improved net play have made him a force on all surfaces. At the U.S. Open, he reached the quarterfinals in 2024 and 2025, but has yet to advance beyond that stage. His 2026 season has been defined by a rivalry with Alcaraz—they have split their last six meetings.
Alexander Zverev, the world No. 2 and reigning French Open champion, completes the top contenders. The German, who turned 29 in April, won his second Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in June, defeating Sinner in a grueling five-set final. Zverev has a strong serve and a relentless baseline game, but has had mixed results in New York: he reached the final in 2020 (losing to Dominic Thiem) and the semifinals in 2021 and 2024. His inconsistent form at majors outside of France remains a question mark.
Women's Singles Spotlight
Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending U.S. Open champion (2024, 2025), is aiming to become the first woman to win three consecutive singles titles at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams achieved the feat from 2012 to 2014. The Belarusian, known for her powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes, currently sits at world No. 1. She has had a strong 2026 season, winning the Indian Wells and Stuttgart titles, but suffered a surprising third-round loss at Wimbledon. Sabalenka's mental resilience and ability to handle pressure in New York have been key to her success—she has won 14 of her last 15 matches at the tournament.
Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion, is not on the entry list but remains a potential wild-card entrant. The 44-year-old American legend retired after the 2022 U.S. Open, but she has hinted at a possible return in various interviews. If she receives a wild card, it would be her first appearance in New York since 2022 and would generate enormous fan interest. Williams won the U.S. Open six times (1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014) and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history.
Elena Rybakina, the world No. 2 and reigning Australian Open champion, is a strong contender. The Kazakh player, who turned 27 in June, won her first Grand Slam at Wimbledon in 2022 and added the Australian Open in 2026. Rybakina's powerful serve and clean ball-striking make her dangerous on hard courts. She reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open in 2023 and 2025.
Jessica Pegula, the world No. 3 and 2024 U.S. Open finalist, leads a deep American contingent. The 32-year-old from Buffalo, New York, has consistently performed well in New York, reaching the quarterfinals in 2022 and 2023 before her runner-up finish last year. Pegula's all-court game and experience make her a threat.
Coco Gauff, the 2023 champion, is the fourth-ranked American. The 22-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia, burst onto the scene by winning the title as a 19-year-old, defeating Sabalenka in the final. Gauff has since added the 2024 French Open and 2025 Wimbledon titles, bringing her Grand Slam total to three. Her athleticism and fighting spirit have made her a fan favorite. In 2026, she has won titles in Dubai and Charleston, but has struggled with consistency, losing in the fourth round at Roland Garros and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. Gauff will look to regain her form on home soil.
Field Statistics and Notables
The complete entry list includes 17 former Grand Slam singles champions (11 women and six men), with 10 of those being former U.S. Open champions. The women's field features Sabalenka, Rybakina, Gauff, Pegula, and former champions like Iga Swiatek (who is not playing this year due to injury) and Barbora Krejcikova. The men's field includes Alcaraz, Djokovic, Sinner, Zverev, and 2020 champion Dominic Thiem (who is using a protected ranking).
The United States leads all nations with 28 players (14 women and 14 men) earning direct entry into the main draw. The American women are led by Pegula, Gauff, and No. 9 Amanda Anisimova, who has had a resurgent season after a hiatus. The American men include top-10 players Ben Shelton (No. 8) and Taylor Fritz (No. 7). Shelton, who reached the semifinals in 2023, is known for his powerful lefty serve and charisma. Fritz, the 2024 U.S. Open quarterfinalist, has a solid all-around game but has yet to break through to a Grand Slam final.
Eight total players (five women, three men) are using special or protected rankings. Notable entries include Lois Boisson (France, No. 38), Juncheng Shang (China, No. 56), Irina-Camelia Begu (Romania, No. 82), and Thanasi Kokkinakis (Australia, No. 84). These rankings allow players coming back from injury or extended absences to gain entry without having to qualify.
The entry lists were based on the ATP and WTA rankings as of July 20, 2026. The women's direct acceptance cutoff was world No. 102, while the men's cutoff was world No. 101. This means that players ranked just outside the automatic spots will need wild cards or qualifier victories to enter the main draw.
The U.S. Open singles main draws will begin on Sunday, August 30. Qualifying rounds will take place from August 23 to August 26. The tournament will award a record $75 million in prize money, with singles champions earning $3.8 million each. The event remains the largest annual sporting event in the world by attendance, drawing over 800,000 fans each year.
With Alcaraz returning from injury, Djokovic chasing history, Sabalenka pursuing a three-peat, and a host of American contenders, the 2026 U.S. Open promises to be one of the most exciting editions in recent memory. The entry list underscores the depth and global appeal of tennis, with players from 35 countries competing in the main draws.
Source:Forbes News