The injury storm has caused many top stars to withdraw or leave open the possibility of competing at the US Open 2026, but it also opens up opportunities for many players. Anything can happen.
The atmosphere at Flushing Meadows has been exciting as the mixed doubles event has been deployed. This is one of the reasons why the US Open 2026 is more anticipated.
Stars in the mixed doubles event
The mixed doubles format has improved again after being controversially introduced last year. With shorter sets, large prize money and a schedule taking place before the singles week, this format is designed to attract top stars to participate.
However, singles stars are not experts in doubles. Therefore, the pairs Novak Djokovic - Aryna Sabalenka, Alexander Zverev - Taylor Townsend, Felix Auger-Aliassime - Alexandra Eala, Taylor Fritz - Jessica Pegula were eliminated early in the first round, the pair Carlos Alcaraz - Serena Williams reached the quarterfinals.
Notably, the defending champions Sara Errani - Andrea Vavassori were also eliminated in the first round by Andrey Rublev and Mirra Andreeva - the pair that eliminated Diana Shnaider - Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals.
Alcaraz's reappearance
Alcaraz confirmed his return last Thursday, through a collaboration post with football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, using the famous saying "Here we go".
After missing both Roland Garros and Wimbledon due to a prolonged wrist injury, the first round match in New York will be his first official appearance in the singles since the Barcelona Open 4 months ago.
His withdrawal from the Cincinnati Open - where he was expected to reappear - raises a big question about his ability to adapt to the harsh fitness of 5-set matches.
Meanwhile, familiar opponent Jannik Sinner confirmed his absence. The world No. 1 player has not played any match since the Wimbledon final due to a right knee injury.
A Grand Slam without Sinner or Alcaraz as the number 1 candidate is quite strange - they won 9 out of the last 10 Grand Slam titles.
With Sinner absent and Alcaraz just returning after a long break, the chasing group of players is facing a rare opportunity to shine under the Arthur Ashe court lights.
Eala fever
If there is one thing for sure, it is that the enthusiastic Filipino fans of Eala will cover Flushing Meadows. The breakthrough progress of the 21-year-old tennis player has turned the Philippines into a tennis-crazy nation, prompting local authorities to build thousands more hard courts across the country.
Eala came to the tournament with the highest performance of his career after winning the title at the Washington Open.
This left-handed player also had an impressive grass court season: winning the WTA 250 tournament in Birmingham, reaching the Berlin Open semi-finals and defeating former champion Iga Swiatek after 2 sets in the 3rd round of Wimbledon.
The race to world No. 1 in women's events
Sabalenka is at risk of losing the world No. 1 position at the WTA in New York, as Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula all have a chance to overcome it depending on the match results.
Sabalenka has not reached any finals since completing "Sunshine Double" in March. To maintain the leading position, she is required to win the US Open.
Meanwhile, Rybakina, Gauff and Pegula are also closely following, making the race to the world No. 1 position one of the most attractive scenarios at this year's tournament.
