The US Open 2026 preview has tennis fans worldwide reaching for their remote controls — and Singapore supporters are no different. With the world’s finest players heading to Flushing Meadows from 30 August, this year’s final Grand Slam of the season promises high drama, a titanic rivalry at the summit of the men’s draw, and a women’s field bristling with champions hungry for glory.
Jannik Sinner: The World No.1 Machine Rolls Into Flushing Meadows
Jannik Sinner arrives at the US Open 2026 as the undisputed ruler of men’s tennis. The Italian has been in imperious form all season, adding a Wimbledon title in July — his fifth Grand Slam crown — to an already glittering haul. His weeks at world No.1 are piling up at a historic rate, and while he withdrew from the Montreal hardcourt event alongside Novak Djokovic, few expect rust to be a problem at a tournament he has conquered before.
The numbers tell the story. Sinner’s serve has become a weapon of genuine menace, his baseline game is built for hard-court attrition, and his mental fortitude under pressure is the stuff of legend. The question going into Flushing Meadows is not whether Sinner can win — it is whether anyone can stop him. There is only one credible answer.
US Open 2026 Preview: The Alcaraz Comeback Story
Carlos Alcaraz, the 2025 US Open champion, has been the great unknown of this tennis season. A wrist injury sustained in Barcelona in April kept him sidelined for months, and while his name appears on the 2026 entry list, question marks remain over his match fitness and tournament sharpness. The 23-year-old Spaniard has not competed since April — an eternity in elite tennis.
Yet underestimating Alcaraz has proven unwise before. He is a two-time Flushing Meadows finalist, a multi-Slam champion, and a player whose natural talent is so extraordinary that a full pre-tournament block of preparation may not be strictly necessary. If Alcaraz is fit, he is instantly one of the top contenders. If he is not, Sinner’s path to a second US Open title becomes considerably clearer.
Women’s Draw: Sabalenka Eyes Historic Three-Peat
On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka arrives as two-time defending champion with history in her sights. No woman has won three consecutive US Open titles since Serena Williams swept the 2012, 2013, and 2014 championships. Sabalenka’s power game — relentless from the baseline, ferocious on serve — is perfectly suited to the hard courts of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Her challengers are formidable. Coco Gauff, the 2024 champion, returns hungry to reclaim the crown on home soil. Iga Swiatek, the 2022 champion, will be dangerous as always. And there is renewed excitement around the prospects of Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu, both of whom have shown flashes of their Slam-winning best this season. The women’s draw in 2026 is wide open — which is exactly what makes it unmissable.
Mixed Doubles and the Singapore Angle
The mixed doubles draw has its own compelling subplot. After her magnificent Washington DC Open run, Alex Eala teams up with Félix Auger-Aliassime for an exciting mixed doubles partnership at Flushing Meadows. Meanwhile, defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori make the trip from Europe to defend their title in what promises to be a competitive draw.
The hard-court swing has already delivered brilliant tennis — Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, and Ben Shelton impressed in Washington — and expectations are sky high as the sport’s biggest names prepare for the season-defining fortnight in New York. Qualifying begins on 23 August, with the main draw getting underway on 30 August 2026.
When to Watch From Singapore
For Singaporean fans, scheduling is important. The US Open runs from 30 August to 13 September, with most day sessions starting at 11pm SGT and night sessions kicking off at 2am SGT. The early rounds will feature more manageable scheduling, with the finals in mid-September. Set your alarms, clear your Sundays, and settle in for what promises to be an unforgettable fortnight of tennis. We’ll have full coverage across our Sports section throughout the tournament.
