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The US Open 2026 brings the world’s leading tennis players to New York for the fourth and final Grand Slam of the season. Defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka headline two competitive singles draws featuring established major winners, rising contenders and several players with strong records on North American hard courts.
The tournament runs from 30 August to 13 September 2026 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Full tournament information, draws and schedules are available on the official US Open website.
Alcaraz returns to defend the men’s trophy after four months away from competition, while Sabalenka is attempting to win the women’s title for a third consecutive year. Here is a closer look at the leading contenders and their pre-tournament outright odds from MrBit.
US Open 2026: Dates and Defending Champions
- Tournament dates: 30 August – 13 September 2026
- Men’s defending champion: Carlos Alcaraz
- Women’s defending champion: Aryna Sabalenka
One major name is missing from the men’s draw. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrew before the tournament because of a right knee injury. His absence changes the competitive picture and potentially creates a wider opportunity for Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic and the leading American players.
US Open 2026 Men’s Favourites
The men’s draw is led by top seed Alexander Zverev and No. 2 seed Alcaraz, while Djokovic and several leading American players are also positioned for potential deep runs. Draws, results and tournament updates can be followed through the official ATP Tour US Open coverage.
1. Carlos Alcaraz — 2.50
Country: Spain
Age: 23
Seed: No. 2
Best US Open result: Champion in 2022 and 2025
Alcaraz returns to New York as the defending champion, but his preparation has been far from conventional. A right wrist injury kept the Spaniard away from competition for four months, with his last official tournament appearance coming in Barcelona in April.
Before the injury, Alcaraz had already enjoyed an impressive start to 2026. His Australian Open victory completed the career Grand Slam and made him the youngest man to win singles titles at all four majors.
The main question in New York is whether he can immediately rediscover his competitive rhythm after such a long absence. His record at Flushing Meadows provides plenty of encouragement: Alcaraz has already lifted the trophy twice and is aiming for his third US Open title.
MrBit odds: Carlos Alcaraz to win — 2.50
2. Alexander Zverev — 4.00
Country: Germany
Age: 29
Seed: No. 1
Best US Open result: Finalist in 2020
Zverev enters the tournament as the top seed following Sinner’s withdrawal and arrives in New York with a Grand Slam title already secured this season. The German won Roland-Garros in June, ending his long wait for a major trophy.
New York also brings back memories of his closest previous attempt to win the US Open. Zverev reached the final in 2020 before losing to Dominic Thiem in five sets. Six years later, he returns as a more experienced player and one of the strongest candidates to challenge Alcaraz.
MrBit odds: Alexander Zverev to win — 4.00
3. Novak Djokovic — 10.00
Country: Serbia
Age: 39
Seed: No. 4
Best US Open result: Champion in 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2023
Djokovic remains one of the most experienced players in the field and is chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title. His four previous US Open victories make him difficult to overlook regardless of his age or recent results.
The Serbian reached the Australian Open final and Wimbledon semi-finals earlier in 2026, showing that he can still compete deep into major tournaments. Managing his physical condition across seven best-of-five matches will be crucial, but few players can match his experience when the pressure increases in the second week.
MrBit odds: Novak Djokovic to win — 10.00
4. Ben Shelton — 10.00
Country: USA
Age: 23
Seed: No. 8
Best US Open result: Semi-finalist in 2023
Shelton arrives at his home Grand Slam after another productive North American summer. The American won the Montreal Masters title and has already demonstrated his ability to perform in New York after reaching the US Open semi-finals in 2023.
His powerful serve and aggressive style make him particularly dangerous on hard courts. With the home crowd behind him and Sinner absent from the field, Shelton has another opportunity to challenge the established Grand Slam champions.
MrBit odds: Ben Shelton to win — 10.00
5. Taylor Fritz — 15.00
Country: USA
Age: 28
Best US Open result: Finalist in 2024
Fritz is another leading American contender. He reached the US Open final in 2024 and has continued to produce strong results on hard courts, including a title in Washington during the 2026 North American swing.
His previous run to the championship match means he already knows how to handle the pressure of the later rounds in New York. Fritz starts outside the shortest-priced group, but another deep run would be far from surprising.
MrBit odds: Taylor Fritz to win — 15.00
US Open 2026 Women’s Favourites
The women’s field is headed by two-time defending champion Sabalenka, with Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek among the other leading seeds. The full field and current tournament status can be checked through the official WTA US Open player list.
1. Aryna Sabalenka — 4.00
Country: Belarus
Age: 28
Seed: No. 1
Best US Open result: Champion in 2024 and 2025
Sabalenka enters New York as the player everyone is trying to dethrone. She won the US Open in both 2024 and 2025 and begins the 2026 tournament on a 13-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows.
Her recent results have not been as dominant as her New York record, but the combination of a powerful serve, aggressive baseline tennis and proven success on hard courts keeps her at the top of the list of contenders.
A third consecutive title would further strengthen Sabalenka’s status as one of the defining hard-court players of her generation.
MrBit odds: Aryna Sabalenka to win — 4.00
2. Coco Gauff — 6.00
Country: USA
Age: 22
Seed: No. 4
Best US Open result: Champion in 2023
Gauff returns to the tournament where she won her first Grand Slam singles title in 2023. Her movement, defensive skills and ability to turn rallies from defence into attack make her particularly difficult to beat on hard courts.
Playing in front of the home crowd adds another dimension to her challenge. Gauff already knows how to manage the pressure of competing for a major title in New York, making her one of Sabalenka’s most credible rivals.
MrBit odds: Coco Gauff to win — 6.00
3. Iga Swiatek — 7.00
Country: Poland
Age: 25
Seed: No. 8
Best US Open result: Champion in 2022
Swiatek has already demonstrated that she can succeed at Flushing Meadows after winning the title in 2022. Although she enters this year’s tournament as the eighth seed, her Grand Slam experience means she remains a significant threat in the women’s draw.
The Polish player is capable of taking control of matches quickly when her return game and baseline timing are working together. Her position in the draw may make the route difficult, but her previous success in New York ensures she cannot be overlooked.
MrBit odds: Iga Swiatek to win — 7.00
4. Elena Rybakina — 8.00
Country: Kazakhstan
Age: 27
Seed: No. 2
Best US Open result: Round of 16 in 2025
Rybakina enters the US Open as the second seed and already has a Grand Slam title to her name in 2026 after winning the Australian Open. Her powerful serve and ability to shorten rallies make her naturally suited to hard-court tennis.
New York has historically been a more difficult Grand Slam for Rybakina, with the fourth round remaining her best result. That record leaves room for improvement, but her form and ranking make her one of the strongest candidates to challenge Sabalenka.
MrBit odds: Elena Rybakina to win — 8.00
5. Naomi Osaka — 10.00
Country: Japan
Age: 28
Seed: No. 13
Best US Open result: Champion in 2018 and 2020
Few players in the draw have a better history on the New York hard courts than Osaka. The Japanese star won the US Open in 2018 and 2020, with both titles highlighting how dangerous her first-strike game can be at Flushing Meadows.
She enters as the No. 13 seed rather than one of the highest-ranked contenders, but her previous success at the tournament makes her a dangerous opponent for anyone in the draw. If her serve and return are working consistently, Osaka has the potential to outperform her seeding.
MrBit odds: Naomi Osaka to win — 10.00
Who Are the Main US Open 2026 Title Contenders?
The men’s tournament has become more open following Sinner’s withdrawal. Alcaraz has the strongest recent US Open record among the leading contenders but enters after a four-month injury absence. Zverev arrives as the top seed and Roland-Garros champion, while Djokovic’s Grand Slam experience ensures he remains a threat. Shelton and Fritz lead the American challenge.
The women’s competition is similarly competitive. Sabalenka has won the last two editions and starts as the top seed, but Rybakina enters at No. 2 after winning the Australian Open, Gauff is a former champion with home support and Swiatek has already lifted the trophy in New York. Osaka adds another two-time champion to the list of potential challengers.
Pre-tournament odds provide an indication of expectations rather than a guarantee of how the event will unfold. Over two weeks of Grand Slam tennis, fitness, form, the draw and the ability to perform under pressure will ultimately determine who leaves New York with the 2026 singles titles.
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