Overview
- Jannik Sinner is out of the 2026 US Open while he recovers from a right-knee injury, and tournament seedings and draw placements have been revised as a result.
- Ben Shelton said it would be “disrespectful” to assume the draw is easier without Sinner and said he is focused on his opening match rather than the broader bracket.
- Shelton arrives in New York on the back of his best season, having won four tour-level titles this year including a successful defence of the Canadian Open.
- The men’s field remains strong with top contenders such as Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz still in the draw, with Alcaraz’s form uncertain after a long layoff.
- The U.S. has not produced a men’s singles US Open champion since 2003, and several in-form Americans — including Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Learner Tien, Brandon Nakashima and Tommy Paul — are now viewed as realistic threats.