Having won the US Open twice, enters the tournament as a favourite despite returning to the court after a four-month layoff due to a wrist injury.
The Spaniard, however, will bank on his impressive run this year, having won the Australian Open in February, followed by the Qatar Open later that month and reaching the Monte-Carlo Masters final. With a strong big-match record, the World No. 3 remains a top contender to defend his crown in New York.
Alcaraz says he feels 100% ahead of title defence
New York: Back from injury, Carlos Alcaraz said on Friday that he feels at “100 per cent” ahead of his defence of the US Open. “I need to come here to practice with these guys to feel the competition once again, and this is really testing. I’m feeling great and… that helped me a lot to know right now that it’s all in my head,” he said.
-AFP
Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev enters Arthur Ashe Stadium as the top seed with World No. 1 Jannik Sinner missing out due to injury. Playing with peak confidence, the German has reached the finals of the last two Grand Slams — winning his maiden French Open title earlier this year before finishing as runner-up at Wimbledon and could pose a massive challenge to Alcaraz.
Novak Djokovic
Despite not winning a Grand Slam title in the last three years — his last coming at the 2023 US Open — , 39, remains a powerhouse on the major stage. He finished as the runner-up at the Australian Open earlier this year. The veteran, who has won the US Open four times, will be motivated to secure a record 25th Grand Slam title and will certainly look to put all his experience to use at Flushing Meadows.
Defending champion
Aryna Sabalenka
is favourite to make it three US Open titles in a row after winning the tournament in 2024 and 2025. She reached the Australian Open final earlier this year and continued her good run by winning the Miami Open and Indian Wells. However, her form dropped thereafter, with the Belarusian even failing to make the top four at the French Open and Wimbledon. The World No. 1 will be itching to return to the fast hard courts and rediscover her form as she bids to defend her title in New York.
Champ Sabalenka shrugs off her recent struggles
New York: Aryna Sabalenka brushed off concerns about her slumping form on Friday as she prepared to launch her bid for a third straight US Open crown. “Always confident,” she told reporters about her mindset.
– AFP
Elena Rybakina
Steady form throughout the year makes Elena Rybakina a dangerous opponent to Sabalenka as she looks to win her maiden US Open title. The World No. 2 beat Sabalenka to win the Australian Open earlier this year. Although she crashed out early in the next two Slams — the French Open and Wimbledon — she reached the final at Indian Wells and won the Stuttgart Open earlier this year. The 27-year-old finished as the runner-up at the Canadian Open recently. Those performances will motivate her to challenge for the title and claim the World No. 1 ranking.
Coco Gauff
Despite crashing out in the round of 16 at the 2024 and 2025 editions, 2023 champion enters this year’s tournament looking to steal Sabalenka’s crown, thanks to her current form. Her strong record on home soil, having won the Cincinnati Masters title last week and finishing as runner-up at the Miami Open earlier this year, puts the World No. 4 in a strong position to win her second Grand Slam title at home.