US Open 2026: Sinner withdraws, Arthur Fils drawn against Tsitsipas

The draw for the season's last Grand Slam was made on Thursday at Flushing Meadows. It is defined by one major absentee, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, and by a brutal opening match for the leading Frenchman, Arthur Fils. The tournament starts on Sunday 30 August.

Why is Jannik Sinner not playing?

The Italian has withdrawn with a right knee injury. Since winning Wimbledon in July — his fifth Grand Slam title — he has not played a single match, having already pulled out of the Montreal and Cincinnati Masters 1000. Days before the start, he judged he did not have the time to get back to full fitness.

His absence reshuffles the seedings: Carlos Alcaraz, ranked third in the world, takes the No. 2 seeding, and Alexander Zverev becomes top seed at a Major for the first time.

Who are the favourites?

Zverev, the French Open champion this spring, therefore leads the draw ahead of Alcaraz, Felix Auger-Aliassime (3rd seed) and Novak Djokovic (4th seed). Alcaraz is defending his title: he was the one who lifted the trophy in New York last year.

The draw treated the German more kindly than the Spaniard. Zverev cannot meet either Alcaraz or Djokovic before the final, while those two are in the same half and could end up playing for a place in it. Auger-Aliassime shares his quarter with Taylor Fritz (9th seed), Alex De Minaur (6th) and Flavio Cobolli (5th).

In the first round Zverev faces Lorenzo Sonego and Alcaraz plays Russia's Roman Safiullin. Nostalgics will keep an eye on Stan Wawrinka vs Matteo Berrettini.

What draw did the French get?

The toughest one went to the highest ranked. Arthur Fils (10th seed), the Cincinnati champion a fortnight ago, drew Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round. And it hardly eases up after that: Jiri Lehecka looming in the third round, Ben Shelton (8th seed) in the last 16, Alcaraz in the quarter-finals.

The others:

Arthur Rinderknech (26th seed) faces Japan's Sho Shimabukuro.
Gael Monfils, a tournament wild card, plays Paraguay's Adolfo Daniel Vallejo.
Corentin Moutet takes on Australia's Dane Sweeny, Benjamin Bonzi Slovakia's Alex Molcan.
Quentin Halys meets Argentina's Facundo Diaz Acosta, Terence Atmane Spain's Jaume Munar, Adrian Mannarino Argentina's Thiago Agustin Tirante.
Luca Van Assche drew a seed, Britain's Cameron Norrie (29th).
Valentin Royer and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard await qualifiers.

Ugo Humbert, injured, did not make the trip. Two more Frenchmen could still join the list: Arthur Gea and Hugo Gaston are playing for their place in the final qualifying round, pushed back to Friday by the rain.

And in the women's draw?

Aryna Sabalenka is the top seed and defending champion, ahead of Elena Rybakina (2nd), Jessica Pegula (3rd) and Coco Gauff (4th).

Four French women are in the draw: Lois Boisson faces American Emma Navarro, Elsa Jacquemot plays Czech Marie Bouzkova, Diane Parry meets Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic, and Leolia Jeanjean takes on a qualifier.

Where to watch the 2026 US Open?

The tournament is shown in full by Eurosport in France, on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2 as well as the broadcaster's digital channels. It is also available through Max and the Canal+ packages that include Eurosport.

The main draw runs from Sunday 30 August to Sunday 13 September, with the women's final on Saturday 12 and the men's final on Sunday 13.