By Alex Ridout

The ATP Tour has been a place of unpredictability this season.

With both Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz both having their share of injury concerns during the 2026 season, the door has been left open for others to take titles that have been difficult to acquire during the dominant pair’s period of success.

However, now the world’s best have descended on Flushing Meadows, as the US’ very own Grand Slam hosts the tour’s biggest prize for another year.

But, unlike previous occasions, this addition of the US Open promises to be one of the most unpredictable and exciting years yet.

Due to the Italian world number one’s absence through a knee injury, tennis enthusiasts have been looking for the person who may step into his shoes and take advantage of the opportunity.

Embed from Getty Images

The obvious name that is on everyone’s mind’s would be Sinner’s biggest rival, Alcaraz. However, the Spaniard has been dealing with his own injury problems during the majority of 2026.

Embed from Getty Images

Just like his Spanish mentor, Rafael Nadal, before him, Alcaraz has been suffering with a wrist issue, with his dominant right keeping him out for most of the clay courts season and the whole grass court swing, including Wimbledon.

The seven time Grand Slam champion hadn’t played any competitive tennis between the months of April and August, with his last match being a straight sets win at Barcelona against Otto Virtanen, before having to withdraw in the next round of the ATP 500 event.

Nearly four months after his last appearance on tour, and with a new set of hair, Alcaraz returned to play mixed doubles at the US Open, which was played the week before the singles draw began, pairing up with the returning Serena Williams in a blockbuster duo.

Embed from Getty Images

The two serial Grand Slam winners got to the quarter finals, with a win over Lloyd Glasspool and Erin Routliffe, before losing out on a place in the semis to Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli, after a straight sets defeat.

Following his return to the court in the mixed doubles, the 23-year-old began his bid to defend his US Open crown.

A routine three sets win Roman Safiullin was a good start for the Spaniard, however, only he and his time team know what level his fitness is actually at, and whether he can make it through the rounds, then with enough energy in reserve for a likely tough battle at the end of the two weeks.]

Embed from Getty Images

The second seed has Jaime Faria awaiting him in the second round.

If the two time Flushing Meadows champion isn’t at his best, many would imagine that the man who is favourite the seize the opportunity would be Alexander Zverev.

The German has had one of his best year’s on the tour, especially in the Grand Slams, after backing up that memorable match in Paris with a run to the final at the All England Club.

Embed from Getty Images

After years of searching, finally winning that first Grand Slam for the 29-year-old would’ve come as some relief, perhaps lifting a weight off his shoulders for majors to come.

However, the hard court season hasn’t been quite as impressive so far from the German, with losses to Tallon Griekspoor in Montreal, and Tommy Paul at Cincinnati.

Embed from Getty Images

Zverev will hope his woes on the surface are over the year, as Lorenzo Sonego awaits for the French Open champion in the opening round.

Another player who has struggled during the hard court swing is Daniil Medvedev.

The 2021 US Open champion has played three tournaments on the surface in the lead up to Flushing Meadows, however none of these providing the Russian with any form of positivity to go into the slam with.

Embed from Getty Images

Opening round defeats at both Montreal and Winston Salem were sandwiched with a singular win against Marco Trungelliti in Cincinnati, before losing to Brandon Nakashima a match later.

However, the 30-year-old looked calmer in his first round match against Hugo Gaston, brushing past the Frenchman in straight sets out on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Many seem to have written Medvedev off in having any chance at getting to the business end of the competition, though after a strong opening hard court season way back in early 2026, he has proven that he can perform on the surface before, so there is a chance that the former US Open winner could find his feet again.

Unfortunately for a mass amount of tennis fans, one man who won’t be contesting for the title is Novak Djokovic.

An emotional Serbian was beaten in five sets by Mariano Navone, in what was a hard watch for many, as Djokovic was seen crying and vomiting on court, which he confirmed was due to a health issue he has been managing for a long time.

Embed from Getty Images

The tennis world will hope that isn’t the last time we see the 24-time champion step out and play at a Grand Slam.

As for the rest of the draw, there are plenty of others who could throw their hat’s into the ring, with the likes of Alex de Minaur, Flavio Cobolli and Ben Shelton being all names who will think they have a shot at the title.

Whoever ends up lifting the famous trophy in little under two weeks’ time, there is sure to be many twists and turns along the way, in what promises to be another great men’s US Open.

Background of featured image of tennis balls on a court: Photo by Brands&People on Unsplash

Daniil Medvedev practicing at the 2023 US Open: Amaury Laporte via Wikimedia Commons

Jesper de Jong vs Alexander Zverev at the 2026 Roland Garros: Like tears in rain via Wikimedia Commons

Carlos Alcaraz practicing at the US Open in 2026: Nrbelex via Wikimedia Commons

(All pictures of players on the featured image had the backgrounds of their images removed using Adobe Express)