Sinner sidelined, Alcaraz rusty: depleted men's draw opens at US Open
Jannik Sinner's withdrawal leaves the men's title wide open, while Carlos Alcaraz faces a steep climb to defend his crown after months away.
The 2026 US Open men's draw has lost its defending champion's main challenger. ESPN reported that Jannik Sinner withdrew from the tournament on August 21 due to a right knee injury, unable to recover after his Wimbledon triumph in July. His absence reshapes the title picture and hands opportunity to a depleted field.
Carlos Alcaraz will attempt to defend his US Open crown, but the Spaniard will begin as something other than a clear favorite. ESPN reports that Alcaraz is returning from a right wrist injury that has sidelined him since April, forcing him to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon. With no competitive singles since April, he faces a steep climb to repeat.
The women's draw carries its own storylines. ESPN reports that Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, must win the tournament to hold her No. 1 ranking after an inconsistent hard-court season.
Meanwhile, Coco Gauff enters as a genuine threat. ESPN reports that Gauff holds a 30-6 record on hard courts in 2026 and won the Cincinnati Open title in the week before the US Open.