With Jannik Sinner sidelined by a knee injury and Carlos Alcaraz returning from a four-month layoff, the upcoming US Open opens up fresh opportunities across both the men's and women's draws.
The defining tennis matchup of this era between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner has once again been put on hold ahead of the US Open. After meeting six times in six months during 2025, the pair has faced off just once in the subsequent nine months. Following Sinner's three-month doping-related ban in early 2025 and Alcaraz's four-month absence from mid-April due to a wrist injury, Sinner has now been sidelined by a knee injury.
The delay in their rivalry may benefit defending champion Alcaraz, who has not featured in a competitive singles match since Barcelona in April. The 23-year-old seven-time Major winner prepared for Flushing Meadows with two mixed doubles matches alongside Serena Williams. However, his path remains challenging: Alcaraz opens against Roman Safiullin—who defeated him in 2023 on a Paris hard-court—with a potential quarterfinal against Ben Shelton and possible semifinal encounters against 24-time Slam titlist Novak Djokovic or 2021 US Open winner Daniil Medvedev.
Djokovic and Medvedev face their own hurdles. The 39-year-old Serb lost his lone Cincinnati match after his Wimbledon semifinal defeat to Sinner, while Medvedev has been without a trophy since February. This opens a major window for 29-year-old Alexander Zverev, who enters as the top seed on his favourite surface following a French Open title and a runner-up finish at Wimbledon.
In the women's draw, World No. 1 and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka sees her top lead cut to under 450 points after recent struggles. While chief challenger Elena Rybakina recovers from an ankle injury, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula enter New York in strong form. They are joined in the field by Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova and 21-year-old Alexandra Eala of the Philippines, while Serena and Venus Williams add star power in the doubles draw.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Sport. Photo courtesy The Hindu Sport.