The final Grand Slam tournament of the season always brings a special dose of drama. The hard courts in New York, the extreme humidity, and the unique, electrifying atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium test the physical and mental strength of every player.
Although tennis is a sport where surprises are always possible, a few names clearly stand out ahead of the tournament. The entry list has been confirmed for a while, and we are analyzing who is coming to New York in the best form and who has the highest chances of lifting the trophy.
Men’s Singles Favorites: Clash of the Titans on Hard Courts
The men’s singles draw promises a true spectacle on the hard courts this year. Several players have clearly distinguished themselves based on their results during the North American hard-court swing:
- Carlos Alcaraz: The young Spaniard always arrives with the highest ambitions. His incredible speed and ability to transition from defense to a devastating attack make him one of the main favorites for the title in New York.
- Jannik Sinner: The Italian has shown in recent seasons that he is a master of hard courts. His flat, powerful groundstrokes are perfectly tailored for the fast concrete of Flushing Meadows.
- Novak Djokovic: You can never, under any circumstances, count out the greatest of all time. His vast experience in best-of-five-set matches and his unmatched mental strength in crucial moments make him a constant threat to any opponent.
- Daniil Medvedev: The Russian is a proven US Open specialist. His unorthodox playing style, deep return position, and the defensive wall he builds on hard courts are always an unsolvable puzzle for most of the tour.
Women’s Singles Favorites: The Dominant Quartet
Women’s tennis at the US Open traditionally brings a lot of unpredictability, but at the very top, the names of players whose powerful tennis works best in New York clearly stand out:
- Aryna Sabalenka: Her aggressive baseline game, devastating serve, and sheer power make her perhaps the most serious candidate for the title on the fast courts of New York.
- Iga Swiatek: The world number one should never be underestimated. Although clay is her most natural surface, the Polish star has already proven that she can grind down opponents at the US Open with her incredible pace and heavy topspin.
- Coco Gauff: The hometown favorite. Coco always plays with special inspiration in front of the New York crowd, and her elite athleticism and court coverage allow her to track down every ball.
- Elena Rybakina: If her serve is functioning at a top level, Rybakina can beat absolutely anyone. Her first strike creates a massive advantage on the Laykold surface.
Draw Analysis: Who Has the Easiest Path to the Final?
The official draw for the US Open 2026 is here, setting up several spectacular potential clashes early in the tournament.
Men’s Draw:
Hellish top half As is often the case, the draw was not equally kind to everyone. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are projected for an epic semifinal showdown, but they will have to navigate a “minefield” to get there. Sinner could run into tricky big servers as early as the round of 16, while Alcaraz potentially faces the ever-dangerous Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals—a player who thrives in New York conditions.
On the other hand, Novak Djokovic finds himself in the bottom half of the draw. His path through the first week appears slightly clearer, steering clear of the biggest servers until a potential quarterfinal. If he conserves energy in the early rounds, Djokovic has a very straightforward route to the business end of the tournament. It is also worth keeping an eye on qualifiers like Hugo Gaston or the experienced Lloyd Harris, who have been placed across the draw and could prove extremely dangerous in the opening rounds riding three consecutive wins and high confidence.
Women’s Draw:
Blockbuster in the making In the women’s singles, the bottom half of the draw commands the spotlight. Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are on a collision course for a semifinal rematch of their epic encounters. Gauff will have the home crowd behind her, but Sabalenka enjoys a slightly smoother path through the early rounds.
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek headlines the top half. Her biggest hurdle before the final could be Elena Rybakina, whose thunderous flat groundstrokes on the fast Laykold hard courts have the firepower to pierce Swiatek’s defense.
One thing is certain—the draw is set, the qualifiers have taken their places, and the stage in New York is set for a spectacle.
👉 Follow the complete schedule, live results, and current draw of the US Open 2026 on our main page.
