Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal with a right knee injury has opened the men’s draw at the 2026 US Open, elevating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to the top contender slot despite his own four-month absence recovering from a wrist issue. Alexander Zverev heads the top half as the new No. 1 seed, while Alcaraz anchors the bottom alongside Novak Djokovic, Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz, creating multiple potential semifinal clashes on the hard courts at Flushing Meadows. On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka remains the clear favorite with a favorable path, though Coco Gauff’s recent Cincinnati title and strong recent form position her as the primary threat to reach the September 12 final. The main draw begins August 30, with quarterfinals and later rounds still weeks away, leaving room for form, rest and any late injuries to reshape finalist probabilities.