US Open 2026 Preview: Carlos Alcaraz Returns, Novak Djokovic Chases History, and the Women's No. 1 Spot Remains Wide Open

The final Grand Slam of the season begins in New York on Sunday, with Jessica Pegula kicking off centre court proceedings in the day session, while Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams are given night-session honours. Here are some of the main talking points surrounding this year’s US Open.

Alcaraz Returns

After four and a half months on the sidelines nursing a wrist injury, seven-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz will make his singles return at the US Open. With Jannik Sinner out of action due to a knee problem, Alcaraz, who is ranked No 3 in the world, is seeded No 2 in New York behind Alexander Zverev. The 23-year-old Spaniard shares a half of the draw with four-time US Open champion Djokovic; in-form American trio Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, and Brandon Nakashima; 2021 winner Daniil Medvedev; and recent Cincinnati champion Arthur Fils.

Alcaraz, who became the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam when he triumphed at the Australian Open earlier this year, has had to deal with multiple injuries in recent seasons. When he was returning from a forearm injury in 2024, he had doubts about his recovery, even when doctors assured him he was ready to return. Alcaraz admits he has similar feelings at the moment but that he has also learned from his previous experiences that “it’s all in my head”.

“I need competition. I need to come here to practise with these guys, to feel the competition once again, and this is really a test. But I'm feeling great, and just I think that injury helped me a lot to know right now that it's all in my head. I gotta trust my team, I gotta trust my people that tell me it's gonna be fine,” Alcaraz said. He faces Russian world No 98 Roman Safiullin in his opening round and could meet Shelton or Fils in the quarter-finals.

WTA No 1 Spot Up for Grabs

Four different players could finish the US Open as the world No 1 as Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, and Pegula all stand a chance to dethrone current leader Aryna Sabalenka and take over the top spot for the very first time. Rybakina, the world No 2, is mathematically in the best position to achieve that, but her chances could be dented by the Achilles injury she sustained during her quarter-final loss to Iga Swiatek in Cincinnati last week.

Sabalenka must defend her crown in New York – she is going for three in a row – and must hope that Rybakina loses before the semi-finals to extend her reign at the summit. Pegula and Gauff are also in strong contention, eyeing their opportunities to capture the top ranking under specific tournament scenarios.

Djokovic Gunning for Elusive No 25

The Serb arrives in New York having played just 20 matches this season, but the lack of match rhythm has not stopped Djokovic from going deep at the majors this year. A finalist at the Australian Open and a semi-finalist at Wimbledon in the past eight months, the 39-year-old Djokovic is still fighting for that 25th Grand Slam title that would take sole ownership of the all-time record, ahead of Margaret Court. He faces Argentine Mariano Navone in his US Open first round on Sunday night.

Eala Among Contenders

2026 will be Alexandra Eala’s first season in which she competes in the main draws of all four majors. Despite her inexperience, the 21-year-old finds herself among the contenders for the title after knocking out a stellar field in Washington, D.C. Seeded 17th in New York, Eala opens against American qualifier Mary Stoiana on Monday.