The US Open tennis 2026 main draw has officially begun at Flushing Meadows in New York. The final Grand Slam of the season brings together the sport’s biggest stars for two weeks of high stakes competition on hard courts. Play will continue through mid September, ending with the men’s championship match.
This year’s tournament carries extra weight thanks to a record prize fund. Total prize money reaches 108 million dollars, the largest in the sport’s long history. Both singles champions will take home 5.5 million dollars each, a new high for the event.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz returns to defend his title after a long injury layoff. His comeback has drawn major attention, since he has not played a singles match since the spring. Fans are eager to see whether he can regain top form quickly enough to make another deep run.
On the women’s side, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka enters the tournament looking to complete a rare three peat. She has held the top ranking for two years, though her recent form has been shaky. She lost several matches this season that went the distance, raising questions about whether her reign at the top is at risk.
A strong challenger for the top ranking has emerged this season. She sits close behind the defending champion in points and has looked sharp heading into the tournament. A deep run in New York could shift the rankings before the year ends.
The men’s draw features a notable absence at the very top. The current world number one is skipping the event due to a knee injury, opening the door for other contenders. Several American players see this as a rare chance to make a run at their first Grand Slam title on home soil.
Home crowd favorites carry high hopes this year. A group of talented American men and women are chasing their first major singles title. Playing in front of a supportive New York crowd could give them an extra edge in tight matches.
Veteran stars are also part of this year’s story. Wildcard entries have brought a few well known former champions back into the main draw, giving fans a chance to see familiar faces compete once more. Younger players face the added pressure of facing crowd favorites in early rounds.
The event already kicked off with mixed doubles earlier in the week, followed by days of qualifying matches. Sixteen men and sixteen women fought through qualifying rounds to earn a spot in the 128 player main draw. That grind adds another layer of storylines heading into the first main draw matches.
Coverage will span multiple television channels, with matches also available through streaming platforms. Fans across the world can follow the action live, including Spanish language broadcasts for a growing international audience.
As the tournament unfolds, storylines will shift daily. Injuries, upsets, and breakout performances often reshape early predictions within the first few days. What remains certain is that Flushing Meadows will host two weeks of intense competition before crowning this year’s champions in mid September.
