2026 U.S. Open Preview: Preview and Predictions

The main draw of the 2026 U.S. Open begins on Sunday, August 30. For two weeks, the world’s best tennis players will compete on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows in New York for the fourth Grand Slam of the season.

Of course, most eyes will be on Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard won the US Open in 2025, but has been sidelined since April with a nagging wrist injury. Just before the tournament, he announced that he would be fit in time to defend his title. On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka is gearing up for her third consecutive US Open title. Oranje Palace looks ahead to the 2026 US Open, the favorites, and the Dutch participants. Are you ready for two weeks of tennis at the very highest level?

Betting at Oranje Palace

Are you new to Oranje Palace? If so, an attractive welcome offer is waiting for you. You’ll receive 3 x €14 in Free Bets: one for a pre-match bet, one for live betting, and one for a Bet Builder. This immediately gives you the opportunity to explore different options for betting on the 2026 US Open. Think about predicting the number of sets or games, or, of course, picking the winners in the men’s and women’s draws ahead of time.

US Open Preview

The 2026 US Open already has plenty of interesting storylines leading up to the tournament. For example, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is returning after a months-long absence, while Jannik Sinner is making headlines in his absence. The world No. 1 withdrew just before the tournament due to a knee injury. In the women’s draw, Aryna Sabalenka is looking to continue her impressive run in New York.

Men’s Favorites

Jannik Sinner’s Absence

Many tennis fans were eagerly looking forward to another thrilling matchup between Alcaraz and Sinner. Unfortunately, the build-up took a major turn just before the start. Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1 and 2024 US Open champion, has withdrawn due to a knee injury. The Italian won Wimbledon earlier this summer but has not recovered in time for the season’s final Grand Slam.

Carlos Alcaraz

As a result, even more attention will automatically be focused on Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard defeated Sinner last year in the final of the US Open, claiming his second title in New York. And yet, there are also doubts about the multiple Grand Slam champion. After all, he hasn’t competed at the highest level for four to five months.

Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev is also among the players to watch out for. The German won Roland Garros earlier this year and also knows what it’s like to go far in New York: in 2020, he reached the final of the US Open. He also managed to reach the final at Wimbledon.

Novak Djokovic

One player we should never count out is Novak Djokovic. The now 39-year-old Serbian has won the US Open four times and has a total of 24 (!) Grand Slam titles to his name. His last title in New York came in 2023. Although his age—and thus his fitness—is playing an increasingly significant role, Djokovic has proven time and again that he can rise to the occasion on the biggest stages.

Other Contenders at the US Open – Men

Finally, players like Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, and Arthur Fils could pose a threat. The Americans, in particular, will be able to count on strong support from the home crowd in New York. In addition, Frenchman Fils heads to Flushing Meadows with a lot of confidence after winning the Cincinnati Masters 1000 just before the US Open.

Women’s Favorites

Aryna Sabalenka

In the women’s draw, Aryna Sabalenka enters as the player to beat. The Belarusian won the US Open in both 2024 and 2025 and has a chance to make history this year. If she wins again, she’ll become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to win three consecutive US Open titles.

Last year, Sabalenka was virtually unstoppable in New York. She lost only one set throughout the entire tournament and defeated Amanda Anisimova in the final 6-3, 7-6. In 2026, however, her results have not been as strong. She failed to reach the semifinals at both Wimbledon and the French Open, so she still has some work to do. And yet she remains the top US Open favorite!

Iga Swiatek & Coco Gauff

Iga Swiatek knows what it takes to win in New York, having proven herself the strongest in 2022. Coco Gauff shouldn’t be overlooked either. The American won the US Open in 2023 and heads into her home Grand Slam with confidence after claiming the WTA 1000 tournament in Cincinnati, where she defeated Jessica Pegula in two convincing sets.

Other Contenders at the US Open - Women

Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, and Amanda Anisimova are also among the women we should keep a close eye on. As mentioned, Pegula reached the final of the Cincinnati Masters 1000 and was a finalist at the 2024 US Open. Rybakina, on the other hand, had a less-than-ideal lead-up to the tournament: she was forced to withdraw due to an ankle injury in the quarterfinals of Cincinnati. Let’s hope she’s fit in time for the 2026 U.S. Open.

2026 US Open: Dutch Players in Action

Botic van de Zandschulp

After a series of outstanding tournaments in North America, Dutch tennis has received a nice boost. Both Botic van de Zandschulp and Tallon Griekspoor played a number of outstanding matches. Van de Zandschulp won three matches at the Toronto tournament, defeating Mpetshi-Perricard, Medvedev, and Hurkacz. Unfortunately for him, Jakub Mensik proved to be just a cut above in the round of 16.

Tallon Griekspoor

Tallon Griekspoor also reached the round of 16 and defeated several world-class players. In that regard, his confidence must be sky-high. The Haarlem native beat Sonego, Zverev, and Arnaldi. Interestingly, the Spaniard Merida Aguilar proved just a cut above Griekspoor. Still, he can look back on an excellent preparation. We do hope he’s in good shape, though, because shortly after the tournament in Toronto, he had to withdraw from the Cincinnati Masters due to a minor muscle injury.

Will we see Dutch women in action?

Jesper de Jong will also be competing in the men’s draw. For now, it seems the young Dutchman has a love-hate relationship with playing in North America. Unfortunately, things haven’t gone so well for him in recent weeks, and he’s been eliminated early in almost every tournament. On the women’s side, Arantxa Rus and Anouk Koevermans are still competing in the US Open qualifying tournament. As far as that goes, it remains to be seen whether any Dutch women will be in action.

Recent US Open History

Last 5 Winners: Men

Last 5 Winners: Women

2026 US Open Betting Tip 1: Men’s Singles Champion: Carlos Alcaraz

There’s no denying that Carlos Alcaraz is the clear favorite to win the 2026 US Open. Before his injury, the Spaniard was in a league of his own and was already the best on the blue hard courts of Flushing Meadows last year.

We think he’ll win his next Grand Slam, despite having been sidelined for a short while. Of course, this is also due to the absence of Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1. A second consecutive title for Carlos Alcaraz pays out odds of 2.75.

US Open 2026 Betting Tip 2: Women’s Singles Champion: Aryna Sabalenka

Predicting the winner of a women’s Grand Slam is a downright impossible task. Time and again, Aryna Sabalenka seems to be the heavy favorite, yet she fell short in all three Grand Slams of 2026. Still, she’s often in a league of her own in the United States—especially since she’s managed to win both of the last two tournaments. We think she’s eager to match Serena Williams’ record and win the U.S. Open for the third time. This gives you odds of 3.60.