No Sinner! Heaven for Other Competitors at This Year’s US Open

This year’s US Open has been one of the most heavily anticipated majors this year. It promises to be more unpredictable than any other, which is saying a lot considering its history in having the largest variety of champions of all the Grand Slams in the last 20 years. Can the Americans get their first winner since Andy Roddick, and will there be a new champion in the women’s bracket for the 8th major in a row? Let’s have a look at the potential challengers for the title. 

Men’s Bracket

 The American Men 

It seems that the 2026 US Open offers the best chance the American male players have had to win their nation's Major in 23 years. Ben Shelton has already shown a glimpse of what can be expected with his triumph in Montreal 2 weeks ago, not to say that guarantees him a chance at glory. It will however give Americans hope that their National major may finally come back home. 

Another American man hoping to bring glory to his homeland is Taylor Fritz. Although not as successful as his compatriot, Fritz will be reflecting on his US Open final appearance in 2024, and will be seeking more than just a runner’s up trophy this time around. Yet with such a gargantuan task at hand, it’s difficult to say whether Fritz has as much of a shot at the title than his competitors. 

Brandon Nakashima has been showing promise in the tournaments leading up to the US Open, with a semi final appearance in Cincinnati, and a final appearance in Montreal not too long ago. Despite these performances, grand slam success is unlikely, although an upset is not off the table. Be sure to watch out for Nakashima in the early rounds. 

The last American worth mentioning is Frances Tiafoe. After his strong showing at the Cincinnati Open, sadly losing out to Arthur Fils in the final, maybe this will be his year to win a major title. Tiafoe has made two semifinal appearances at the US Open (2022/2024), meaning he is no stranger to major success, especially on home soil. Can he overcome the competition and claim glory?

Novak Djokovic 

In the absence of Jannik Sinner, and with an out-of-practice Carlos Alcaraz, this tournament will be Djokovic’s best chance at breaking Margaret Court’s 24 Grand Slam record. In recent Grand Slams, Djokovic’s problem has been that his fitness is not comparable to Sinner and Alcaraz, which of course is partially due to his age. Yet with this problem not apparent this year, it is without saying that Djokovic is still the third best player in the world, regardless of rankings. Why can’t one of the greatest tennis players in history give us one more momentous run in a grand slam and take home the glory. 

Carlos Alcaraz

2026 Australian Open Champion Carlos Alcaraz is back in action finally after 114 days out due to a wrist injury. The World No.2 will hope to defend his US Open title, however there are still doubts about his fitness. Whether or not he will be able to compete at the same level we saw in January is still up for debate, but despite the lack of play time, it will be a joy to see him back on the court. Wrist injuries notoriously ruin tennis careers, such as Dominic Thiem. Yet with his long recovery period, there is hope that he will be back to his blistering best. Whether this comes at the US Open remains to be seen.

Alexander Zverev

The French Open Champion/ Wimbledon Finalist will want to continue his grand slam hot-streak and forget his recent form in the build up to the US Open. The German reached the semi-final in Australia earlier this year, and will want to make his fourth major semi-final of the year. Whether or not he will be able to keep up with the recent form of his opponents is a question only he can answer. Will his best tennis year to-date continue?

Arthur Fils

The winner of the Cincinnati Open Arthur Fils will be praying that the fortune of his predecessors also comes good for him. The last four US Open major champions have all achieved the Cincinnati crown prior to their US Open glory. Can the Frenchman defy all odds and come out victorious?

Women’s Bracket 

For seven majors in a row, the women’s championship has found itself with a different champion. With many critics believing we’ll be in store for a new major champion. Who will it be?

Alexandra Eala 

The Filipino superstar has taken the tennis world by storm in the last year, and will want to end the tennis season strong. After winning the Washington Open earlier this month, she has had a hard run of tournaments, losing out to the best players in the world, but continuing her progression to be one of the next superstars of women’s tennis. Can she have her best major tournament yet and continue the streak of different women’s Grand Slam champions?

The Ukrainian Dynamos

Martha Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina have been the shining stars of Ukrainian tennis in the last few years, and have been showing huge promise for glory in recent months. This tournament should be the duo’s best chance at singles glory. Kostyuk has been steadily progressing this year, having had a good run up to US Open, losing out to Coco Gauff in the Quarter Final of the Cincinnati Open. Svitolina hasn’t had as much luck before the US Open, but has made the semi-final before in 2019, so who’s to say she cannot go on and win it all this year?

Sara Bejlek

Women’s tennis is full of young talented players, and women’s tennis in the Czech Republic has been seriously strong in recent years. One young talent, Sara Bejlek, recently made the semi-final of the Cincinnati open, playing fearless tennis throughout. She is a perfect candidate for a new winner, as Emma Radacanu was in 2021 at the US Open. 

Aryna Sabalenka 

It would be wrong to not mention the world number one Aryna Sabalenka, especially before a hardcourt tournament, her preferred surface. Although she has had personal struggles with her love for tennis as of late, she remains the favourite for this tournament. She has won the US Open two years running, and will want to make it a historic third US Open. Can she overcome her personal struggles to obtain this title?

Coco Gauff

Undoubtedly the crowd favourite, Coco Gauff will want to dazzle the US with her style and power as she attempts to win her second US Open title. Coming off the back of a victorious Cincinnati campaign, it is well within her grasp, especially with the USA all behind her to claim glory. She will be hoping that the pattern of champions at the last seven major tournaments will offer her an even greater chance at the title. Can she please her home fans?