Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner Lead 2026 US Open Fields/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Wimbledon winner Jannik Sinner lead the direct-entry fields for the 2026 U.S. Open. Sabalenka will pursue a third consecutive title, while Sinner will try to reclaim the championship from Carlos Alcaraz. The remaining places in the 128-player draws will be decided through wild cards and qualifying.
Quick Look
- Aryna Sabalenka leads the women’s field as the world’s top-ranked player.
- Sabalenka is seeking her third consecutive U.S. Open championship.
- Jannik Sinner leads the men’s field following his Wimbledon victory.
- Carlos Alcaraz is entered after missing two majors with a wrist injury.
- The United States earned 14 direct entries in both the men’s and women’s draws.
- The women’s ranking cutoff was No. 102.
- The men’s cutoff was No. 101.
- Eight players used special or protected rankings.
- The main draw begins Sunday, Aug. 30.
Deep Look
Sabalenka and Sinner Headline US Open Entries
NEW YORK — Two-time defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka and reigning Wimbledon winner Jannik Sinner lead the direct-entry lists for the 2026 U.S. Open.
The U.S. Tennis Association announced the fields Tuesday for the season’s final Grand Slam tournament.
Entry was determined using the July 20 rankings from the WTA and ATP tours. The direct-entry cutoff was No. 102 for the women and No. 101 for the men.
Sabalenka Chases Third Consecutive Championship
Sabalenka enters the tournament as the world’s top-ranked woman and the winner of the previous two U.S. Open titles.
She will attempt to become the first woman to capture three consecutive championships at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams won each year from 2012 through 2014.
Sinner Seeks to Reclaim US Open Crown
Top-ranked Sinner will attempt to regain the championship he won in 2024.
Carlos Alcaraz took the title from Sinner when the two met in the 2025 final.
Sinner enters the U.S. Open after winning his fifth Grand Slam championship at Wimbledon, where he defeated French Open champion Alexander Zverev in the final.
Alcaraz Entered After Wrist Injury
Alcaraz, ranked No. 3, is included in the men’s field after missing the previous two Grand Slam tournaments because of a wrist injury.
He hopes to return during the North American hard-court portion of the tennis season.
American Players Lead Direct Entries
The United States secured more direct entries than any other country, placing 14 players in both the men’s and women’s fields.
Anastasia Zakharova, ranked No. 102, received the final direct place in the women’s draw.
Filip Misolic completed the men’s list by using a protected ranking at No. 101. He was among eight players—five women and three men—who entered through special or protected rankings.
Wild Cards and Qualifying Will Complete Fields
The U.S. Open’s men’s and women’s singles competitions will each include 128 players.
The USTA will fill the remaining positions through wild cards and qualifying tournaments held during the week before the main draw.
Williams could be considered for a wild card if she is healthy and plans to compete. The 44-year-old recently returned to tennis but injured her knee during a first-round Wimbledon loss.
The U.S. Open main draw is scheduled to begin Sunday, Aug. 30.
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