The men’s singles event promises another two weeks of high-intensity action, with the best players in the world facing the demanding challenge of navigating a best-of-five-set format. From established champions to emerging contenders, the race for the title in New York is set to provide plenty of intrigue.
Tournament Overview
The men’s singles competition features a 128-player draw, with matches played in a best-of-five-set format. Players must win seven matches to lift the title, with a 10-point tiebreak used at 6-6 in the deciding fifth set. The tournament is played on outdoor hard courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Grand Slam |
| Surface | Outdoor Hard |
| Location | Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York, United States |
| Venue | USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center |
| Schedule | 30 August – 13 September 2026 |
| Draw | 128 Singles / 64 Doubles |
| Current Champion | Carlos Alcaraz |
| Prize Money | US$108,000,000 (2026) |
History
The US Open began in 1881 as the U.S. National Championships, with the first edition held on grass courts at the Newport Casino in Rhode Island. The tournament moved to Forest Hills in New York in 1915 and entered the Open Era in 1968, allowing professional players to compete alongside amateurs.
In 1978, the tournament moved to its current home in Flushing Meadows and switched from clay to hard courts. It has since grown into one of tennis's biggest annual events and remains the only Grand Slam to have been held every year since its inception.
Ranking Points & Prize Money
The US Open offers the maximum 2,000 ATP ranking points to the champion, with 1,300 points awarded to the runner-up and 800 to the semifinalists. The tournament also provides substantial prize money throughout the draw, with the 2026 men's singles champion earning US$5.5 million from a total prize pool of US$108 million.
| Round | Prize Money | ATP Ranking Points |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | $5,500,000 | 2,000 |
| Finalist | $2,800,000 | 1,300 |
| Semifinal | $1,450,000 | 800 |
| Quarterfinal | $780,000 | 400 |
| Round of 16 | $480,000 | 200 |
| 3rd Round | $290,000 | 100 |
| 2nd Round | $190,000 | 50 |
| 1st Round | $140,000 | 10 |
Playing Conditions & Court Speed
The US Open is played on outdoor hard courts at Flushing Meadows, with the Laykold surface generally producing a medium-fast playing environment. The conditions tend to favour aggressive baseliners, big servers and players capable of taking the ball early, while the relatively consistent bounce also allows strong returners to be effective.
New York's late-summer heat and humidity can make the conditions physically demanding, particularly during the day, while wind can occasionally become a factor on the outside courts. The tournament's best-of-five-set format further places a premium on fitness, endurance and the ability to maintain a high level over long matches.
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Surface Type | Outdoor Hard |
| Court Speed | Medium-Fast |
| Altitude | Low |
| Bounce | Medium |
| Weather | Hot and Humid, with occasional wind |
| Favours | Aggressive baseliners, big servers and strong returners |
Recent Champions
The US Open has produced a strong and varied group of champions in recent years, with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz all winning the title, alongside breakthrough champions Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev.
The recent history also highlights the depth of competition at the tournament, with six different champions across the last eight editions and several finals featuring the sport's biggest names.
| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 |
| 2024 | Jannik Sinner | Taylor Fritz | 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 |
| 2023 | Novak Djokovic | Daniil Medvedev | 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 |
| 2022 | Carlos Alcaraz | Casper Ruud | 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3 |
| 2021 | Daniil Medvedev | Novak Djokovic | 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2020 | Dominic Thiem | Alexander Zverev | 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(6) |
| 2019 | Rafael Nadal | Daniil Medvedev | 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 |
| 2018 | Novak Djokovic | Juan Martín del Potro | 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 |
Top 8 Seeds
The 2026 US Open field is headed by Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz, with Felix Auger-Aliassime and Novak Djokovic also among the leading contenders. Flavio Cobolli, Alex de Minaur, Daniil Medvedev and Ben Shelton complete the top eight seeds.
| Seed | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Zverev |
| 2 | Carlos Alcaraz |
| 3 | Felix Auger-Aliassime |
| 4 | Novak Djokovic |
| 5 | Flavio Cobolli |
| 6 | Alex de Minaur |
| 7 | Daniil Medvedev |
| 8 | Ben Shelton |
Players to Watch
Alexander Zverev
Zverev has been the best performer at the Grand Slams this year, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open, winning the French Open and finishing runner-up at Wimbledon. Now the top seed, the German is a fantastic hard-court player and will be one of the main players to watch in New York.
Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz, returning from a lengthy injury break, would ideally have been the firm favourite for the title in Sinner's absence. However, the long layoff raises questions about his fitness, and his early-round performances will be closely watched to see how his body holds up before he can be seriously backed for a deep run.
Novak Djokovic
Age has taken a noticeable toll on both Djokovic's body and his level, but his pedigree simply cannot be ignored. The 24-time Grand Slam champion and multiple-time US Open winner remains a serious contender and should still be in the mix for the title.
Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev is not in optimal form right now, but his pedigree on American hard courts means he cannot be taken lightly. A former US Open champion and world No. 1, he has the experience and game to become a major factor if he can rediscover his best level.
Taylor Fritz
Fritz arrives with strong preparation behind him, having won the title in Washington before making a deep run in Cincinnati. Fritz has long chased a Grand Slam breakthrough, particularly at the US Open, where he has previously finished runner-up. With Sinner absent and question marks surrounding Alcaraz and Djokovic, this could be his opportunity to make a major statement.
How to Watch – Men's US Open 2026
If you’re not watching on TV, platforms like bet365 provide live streaming coverage:
How to Watch on bet365:
- Register a bet365 account
- Fund your account (minimum balance may apply)
- Go to the Live Streaming section
- Select US Open and start watching live
🔐 Note: Streaming availability may vary by region. Most platforms require an active, funded account.