Carlos Alcaraz came to the US Open 2026 as the defending champion (defeating Jannik Sinner in 4 sets in last year's final), however, hopes of becoming the first male player since 2008 to lift the championship trophy consecutively in New York have failed.
After 4 easy victories, many experts predicted that the Spanish player would reach the final match, despite the fact that he lacked the feeling of competing before the tournament due to having to rest for 4 months on the ATP Tour due to a wrist injury.
Alcaraz fought bravely, but Ben Shelton was the final winner in a breathtaking 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) scenario.
Roger Federer is still the closest person to successfully defend the championship in 2008.
Federer has won 5 consecutive titles in New York from 2004 to 2008 and is very close to the historical milestone of becoming the first person to win 6 titles in the Open Era in 2009.
However, he was interrupted by Juan Martin del Potro in the final, as the Argentine won 3–6, 7–6 (7–5), 4–6, 7–6 (7–4), 6–2, winning the only Grand Slam title of his career.
After Federer missed that record, all the champions crowned after him failed to defend the throne.
The "curse" continues over the years...
2010: Juan Martin del Potro was even unable to participate in the tournament due to a wrist injury, paving the way for Rafael Nadal to win his first title in New York.
2011: Nadal reached the final but was defeated by Novak Djokovic. This is the first US Open title among the 4 titles of the Serbian player.
2012: Similar to Nadal last year, Djokovic is only 1 match away from defending the throne, but Andy Murray ends the prolonged Grand Slam title drought of British tennis.
2013: Djokovic entered the final for the third consecutive time in New York, but suffered a defeat against Nadal – who won his second US Open title.
2014: Nadal did not participate, Djokovic's journey stopped in the semi-finals against Kei Nishikori. The Japanese player then lost to Marin Cilic in the final.
2015: Cilic was defeated by Djokovic in the semi-finals, before the Serbian player overcame Federer in the final.
2016: Djokovic continued to lose in the final after 4 sets to Stan Wawrinka.
2017: Wawrinka will not participate next year due to a knee injury. Nadal won his third championship in New York after a victory over Kevin Anderson.
2018: Nadal withdraws in the semi-finals against Del Potro. Argentine player loses to Djokovic in the final.
2019: Djokovic retired in the 4th round due to a left shoulder injury, Nadal then defeated Daniil Medvedev in the final.
2020: Nadal did not participate due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, while Djokovic was defeated for accidentally hitting the rope referee. Dominic Thiem overcame Alexander Zverev after 5 sets in the final.
2021: Thiem became the next defending champion absent due to injury. Medvedev stopped Djokovic's Calendar Grand Slam dream with a 3-set victory in the final.
2022: Medvedev stopped in the 4th round against Nick Kyrgios. The final saw Alcaraz defeat Casper Ruud after 4 sets.
2023: Alcaraz stopped in the semi-finals against Medvedev, creating conditions for Djokovic to win his 4th title in New York after winning 3 sets.
2024: Djokovic's journey was ended by Alexei Popyrin in the third round. Jannik Sinner became the new champion after defeating Taylor Fritz in the final.
2025: Sinner continued to reach the finals but lost to Alcaraz.
2026: Alcaraz eliminated by Ben Shelton.
US Open will welcome a new champion among the remaining names, including Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Alexander Zverev, Botic van de Zandschulp, Karen Khachanov and Alexander Blockx.
