4 days ago
US Open uncertainty grows as aces seek final Slam form
The US Open is the last major tennis tournament of the year and begins Sunday in New York.
Carlos Alcaraz is coming back after a wrist injury kept him from playing singles for almost five months.
Jannik Sinner will not play because his knee is injured.
This makes the men’s tournament harder to predict.
Novak Djokovic is trying to win his 25th major title.
Aryna Sabalenka is defending her women’s title but has struggled to win a major this year.
Other players, including Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek, are also strong contenders.
Tennis players are also asking for a larger share of tournament money, while the US Open has announced a record prize pool.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz returns after missing nearly five months with a wrist injury.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrew because of a right-knee injury, leaving the men’s draw wide open.
Novak Djokovic is chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, while Alexander Zverev enters as top seed.
Defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka is seeking a third consecutive US Open title despite inconsistent 2026 form.
The tournament will offer a record $108 million in player compensation amid a dispute over revenue sharing.
- Who
- Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka and other leading tennis players.
- What
- The US Open begins with uncertain men’s and women’s competitions, several major contenders seeking form, and a player-compensation dispute.
- Where
- New York, at Flushing Meadows.
- When
- The tournament begins Sunday and is the final Grand Slam of the season.
- Why
- Injuries, inconsistent form and major absences have made the tournament difficult to predict.
Players seeking a larger share
Tournament offering increased compensation
Grand Slam revenue
Players seeking a larger share
Players are pushing the four Grand Slam organizers for a greater share of tournament revenues and better support for lower-ranked professionals.
Tournament offering increased compensation
The US Open is increasing total player compensation to a record $108 million, up from $90 million in 2025.
Key facts
- Men’s defending champion
- Carlos Alcaraz
- Men’s major absence
- Jannik Sinner withdrew with a right-knee injury.
- Women’s defending champion
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Djokovic’s target
- A record 25th Grand Slam title.
- Record player compensation
- $108 million at the 2026 US Open.
- Previous compensation
- $90 million in 2025.
- Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry
- Alcaraz leads their 17 meetings 10-7; their last major meeting was the 2025 US Open final.
Sources
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