The US Open, the final Grand Slam of the tennis season, is about to begin, bringing a flood of storylines, high-level matchups, and a field as deep as it has ever been.
On the men’s side, the narrative centers on the ongoing tension between the year’s two dominant players. Jannik Sinner, who has battled illness that kept him from finishing Cincinnati, is viewed as a strong favorite to reach a third straight Slam final in the wake of Carlos Alcaraz. The big question is whether the new “two-man” era can extend its grip into New York, or if another challenger will break through to the title. Meanwhile, Alcaraz enters with momentum, having gone 39-2 in his past 41 matches and carried seven straight final appearances into the Open, suggesting the draw may not be as favorable as it looks on paper for anyone trying to topple him.
In the women’s draw, Aryna Sabalenka, the defending US Open champion, faces a brutal path that could hinge on how she handles fierce challengers like Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff. Sabalenka has been remarkably consistent, reaching 10 semifinals in her past 11 Slams, but winning another title in New York will depend on navigating early-round landmines and avoiding another final heartbreak. Swiatek, meanwhile, has regained momentum after a stretch that had some labeling it a dip, having won 28 of 31 sets recently and aiming to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking if Sabalenka falters and Swiatek continues her hot run. Gauff, fresh off a French Open final appearance and a rollercoaster 2025 season, looms as a major challenger whose form could tilt the balance in a crowded field.
Top contenders and odds (a quick guide)
– Jannik Sinner
– Odds: ESPN BET +115; Tennis Abstract about 44%
– First potential top-10 obstacle: Jack Draper or Lorenzo Musetti
– Snapshot: In the last 12 months, Sinner is 56-5 overall and 1-4 against Alcaraz, with the Italian’s movement and ball-striking ability making him frighteningly efficient from everywhere on the court. If he’s fully healthy, he remains the player to beat in New York.
– Carlos Alcaraz
– Odds: ESPN BET +155; Tennis Abstract about 34.8%
– First potential top-10 obstacle: Ben Shelton (quarterfinals)
– Snapshot: With a current hot streak and a resume that includes seven straight finals this year, Alcaraz has earned the benefit of the doubt. He’s navigated a challenging path with wins brewing across the draw.
– Iga Swiatek
– Odds: ESPN BET +270; Tennis Abstract about 25.7%
– First potential top-10 obstacle: Amanda Anisimova (quarterfinals)
– Snapshot: Swiatek arrives in strong form, looking to consolidate her position among the sport’s elite after a season of high-level results and a recent stretch of strong play.
– Aryna Sabalenka
– Odds: ESPN BET +280; Tennis Abstract about 25.1%
– First potential top-10 obstacle: Jasmine Paolini or Elena Rybakina (quarterfinals)
– Snapshot: Sabalenka is the most reliable force in the sport right now, with a track record of deep runs at Slams, but her path to a repeat title will demand peak performance and careful navigation through a tough draw.
– Coco Gauff
– Odds: ESPN BET +750; Tennis Abstract about 9.6%
– First potential top-10 obstacle: Madison Keys (quarterfinals)
– Snapshot: A roller-coaster season has seen her show both dazzling form and some inconsistency, but she remains one of the core threats in New York with the weapons to carry a long run.
– Novak Djokovic
– Odds: ESPN BET +1200; Tennis Abstract about 4.5%
– First potential top-10 obstacle: Taylor Fritz (quarterfinals)
– Snapshot: Djokovic is a slam-era fixture who often embraces the majors and could surprise again if he rides a late surge and gets a favorable draw in a field loaded with American contenders.
– Naomi Osaka
– Odds: ESPN BET +1600; Tennis Abstract about 0.8%
– First potential top-10 obstacle: Gauff (fourth round)
– Snapshot: Osaka has shown flashes of top form and remains a potential spoiler come knockout time, especially given her history at major tournaments.
– Daniil Medvedev
– Odds: ESPN BET +3300; Tennis Abstract about 0.4%
– First potential top-10 obstacle: Carlos Alcaraz (fourth round)
– Snapshot: A deep, consistent hard-court presence who can flash genius at times, Medvedev remains a danger to anyone on the draw.
– Emma Raducanu
– Odds: ESPN BET +4000; Tennis Abstract about 0.7%
– First potential top-10 obstacle: Elena Rybakina (second round)
– Snapshot: After a challenging stretch, Raducanu’s improved momentum on hard courts could yield an intriguing late run if she can string together the form she showed mid-career.
– Venus Williams
– Odds: ESPN BET +50000; Tennis Abstract odds less than 0.1%
– First potential top-10 obstacle: Madison Keys (fourth round)
– Snapshot: The veteran’s appearance in a major adds a compelling storyline and potential for a big upset, even as time remains a factor.
Rising and breakthrough narratives
– Mirra Andreeva
– Odds: ESPN BET +1000; Tennis Abstract about 8.3%
– First potential top-10 obstacle: Emma Navarro (fourth round)
– Snapshot: The 18-year-old has already flashed stellar early-season form, logging back-to-back 1000-level hard-court titles and beating some of the game’s top names, though an ankle injury has slowed her recent run. A strong start could set up a deep run in New York.
– Elena Rybakina
– Odds: Espn BET +1000; Tennis Abstract about 4.8%
– First potential top-10 obstacle: Jasmine Paolini (fourth round)
– Snapshot: Her recent form has been up and down, but she’s proven capable of beating Sabalenka and could become a dangerous quarterfinal foe in a favorable section of the draw.
– Victoria Mboko
– Odds: ESPN BET +2000; Tennis Abstract about 1.8%
– First potential top-10 obstacle: Emma Navarro (third round)
– Snapshot: A former Montreal champion with a power-heavy game, Mboko is one of the young talents who could disrupt the established order if she maintains high-level aggression and consistency.
– Amanda Anisimova
– Odds: ESPN BET +2000; Tennis Abstract about 1.6%
– First potential top-10 obstacle: Iga Swiatek (quarterfinals)
– Snapshot: After a standout Wimbledon run, Anisimova has continued to show progress and could be a compelling late-stage contender with the right draw and confidence.
– Jasmine Paolini
– Odds: ESPN BET +3300; Tennis Abstract about 2.4%
– First potential top-10 obstacle: Rybakina (fourth round)
– Snapshot: A steady, battle-tested competitor who could leverage a favorable path to carve out an upset-filled campaign if she maintains her level.
Men’s breakthrough and depth
– Holger Rune
– Odds: ESPN BET +6600; Tennis Abstract about 0.5%
– First potential top-10 obstacle: Djokovic (fourth round)
– Snapshot: A talented but mercurial talent who can surge through a draw with the right momentum, though consistency remains the key question.
– Other notable hopefuls
– Lorenzo Musetti, Tommy Paul, Andrey Rublev, Daniil Medvedev, and a host of other strong contenders populate a field that promises plenty of drama as the tournament unfolds. The depth across both draws suggests we should expect both chalk and chaos to define the fortnight.
What to watch for
– The ongoing Sinner-Alcaraz dynamic remains the marquee storyline. If Sinner is truly back to full strength, a potential semifinal or final collision with Alcaraz could echo the energy of past battles.
– Swiatek’s trajectory and Sabalenka’s defense of her title will shape the upper half of the draw, with the rest of the field aggressively pushing for a breakthrough.
– The first-round matchups across both draws include high-profile clashes that could set the tone for the rest of the tournament, including big servers and aggressive baseliners who thrive on hard courts.
Editorial notes and value adds
– This year’s Open is being framed around the depth of the field as much as the stars at the top. The sport-wide interest remains high as multiple generations of champions and rising talents converge in New York.
– A deeper dive into each player’s recent form, injury status, and head-to-head history could help readers gauge potential upsets and long runs. Pairing draw analysis with recent match data would add extra clarity for fans planning their viewing or betting strategies.
Summary
The US Open opens with a blend of elite experience and fresh potential. The likely drama centers on Sinner and Alcaraz as the men’s field navigates a potentially historic fortnight, while Sabalenka, Swiatek, and Gauff push to claim supremacy in a wide, competitive women’s draw. Add in a cadre of rising stars like Andreeva and Mboko, plus a host of established veterans and a field packed with depth, and the tournament is primed to deliver memorable moments from the first round through the final. A week or two of hard-fought rallies, strategic shaping of draws, and surprising upsets could redefine who sits atop the sport as the calendar turns toward year-end titles and the next generation’s emergence.