Overview
- Jannik Sinner’s decision to withdraw with a lingering knee problem moved Alexander Zverev into the tournament’s top seeding and made him a media-framed favourite for the title.
- Zverev will open against Lorenzo Sonego in the first round, a matchup he has dominated in six prior meetings and one that helps him avoid Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic until a possible final.
- Carlos Alcaraz is entered for the US Open after more than four months out with a wrist injury, but his guarded training and need for match sharpness leave questions about how far he can go in the best-of-five format.
- Zverev publicly criticised the tournament balls as “a bit dead,” saying players must hit harder to move them which he believes increases wrist, elbow and arm strain and may help explain recent injuries.
- Organisers announced a record prize pool of about $108 million and a draw that, combined with mixed results at the North American Masters events, creates openings for seasoned favourites and rising challengers.