The final Grand Slam of the calendar year is fast approaching. The US Open 2026 will once again bring the world’s elite to New York for two weeks of high-stakes hard-court tennis. Built on a rich history of iconic champions and unforgettable night-session drama, this year’s tournament arrives with sky-high expectations for the men’s singles draw. At the center of the spotlight is a fierce battle for hard-court supremacy between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, while the legendary Novak Djokovic aims to deliver one more vintage performance against the sport’s rising stars.
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Novibet Blog brings you the ultimate preview of this great tennis event. Discover everything you need to know, including the dates, TV channels, favourites to win the Men’s Singles trophy, and the history of past champions.
Dates and broadcasting channels
The US Open 2026 will take place from 30 August to 13 September at Flushing Meadows in New York. Tennis fans in Ireland can watch live coverage exclusively on Sky Sports, primarily on the Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports Main Event channels. Viewers can also stream all matches live or on demand via the NOW platform with a NOW Sports Membership, or through the Sky Go app on smart devices.
The favourites
Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner enters the late-summer hard-court swing following another impressive season, highlighted by his 2026 Wimbledon victory over Alexander Zverev. His lethal baseline game, explosive movement, and refined serve make him arguably the most consistent hard-court player in the world.
US Open Track Record: The Italian is no stranger to deep runs in New York. He claimed his first US Open title in 2024 with a convincing victory over Taylor Fritz and reached the final again in 2025. The fast-paced courts at Flushing Meadows suit his aggressive positioning and early ball-striking perfectly.
Jannik Sinner: Competition Winner is at odds 8/11 at Novibet
Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz heads into the US Open 2026 on the back of a landmark season, highlighted by his Australian Open triumph, where he defeated Novak Djokovic to complete a historic Career Grand Slam at just 22 years old. With exceptional court coverage, explosive forehand power, and unmatched variety, Alcaraz is once again one of the top favourites to win the US Open.
US Open Track Record: The Spaniard has already built an outstanding legacy at Flushing Meadows. He captured his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open 2022 and added a second crown in 2025 after defeating Jannik Sinner in the final. His high-intensity playing style and ability to thrive in big moments make him especially dangerous under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Carlos Alcaraz: Competition Winner is at odds 21/10 at Novibet
Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev arrives at the US Open 2026 full of confidence after finally ending his Grand Slam drought at the 2026 French Open, where he defeated Flavio Cobolli in a dramatic five-set battle. He followed that breakthrough with a Wimbledon final appearance, proving that his game is operating at the highest level across all surfaces.
US Open Track Record: The US Open represents both heartbreak and history for Zverev. He came agonisingly close to winning his maiden Grand Slam title in New York in 2020, holding a two-set lead and moving within two points of victory before eventually losing to Dominic Thiem in a fifth-set tiebreak. Since then, the German has remained a consistent threat at Flushing Meadows, regularly reaching the second week of the tournament thanks to his powerful first serve and world-class backhand.
Alexander Zverev: Competition Winner is at odds 9/1 at Novibet
Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic continues to prove that age is no barrier, competing on a more selective schedule while remaining one of the biggest threats at Grand Slam tournaments. The Serbian showed flashes of his vintage form earlier in 2026 by reaching the Australian Open final. Although he plays fewer ATP Tour events, his experience, fitness, elite timing, and tactical awareness remain perfectly suited for success on the biggest stages.
US Open Track Record: Djokovic is a four-time US Open champion (2011, 2015, 2018 and 2023) and a 10-time finalist in New York. Despite facing the challenges of the city’s humidity and intense crowds over the years, his world-class return of serve, defensive skills, and ability to perform under pressure make him a serious contender in any best-of-five Grand Slam match.
The Venues
A total of 22 outdoor courts will be used during the 2026 US Open at Flushing Meadows. The venue features four show courts: Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium, the Grandstand, and Court 17, alongside 13 field courts and five practice courts.
The main stage of the tournament is Arthur Ashe Stadium, named after the inaugural men’s singles champion of the Open Era in 1968. The iconic venue has a capacity of 23,771 spectators and features a retractable roof, allowing matches to continue regardless of weather conditions. The second-largest court at the US Open is Louis Armstrong Stadium, which can host 14,601 fans and plays a key role during the two-week Grand Slam tournament.
US Open – Open Era Finals
There have been quite some names that clinched at least once the Men’s Single US Open title. Shockingly, this list does not include Björn Borg. The Swedish tennis icon, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, never managed to conquer New York. Borg reached the US Open final four times but fell short on each occasion, twice against Jimmy Connors and twice against a young John McEnroe.
| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score in the final |
| 1968 | Arthur Ashe | Tom Okker | 3-2 (14–12, 5–7, 6–3, 3–6, 6–3) |
| 1969 | Rod Laver | Tony Roche | 3-1 (7–9, 6–1, 6–2, 6–2) |
| 1970 | Ken Rosewall | Tony Roche | 3-1 (2–6, 6–4, 7–6, 6–3) |
| 1971 | Stan Smith | Jan Kodeš | 3-1 (3–6, 6–3, 6–2, 7–6) |
| 1972 | Ilie Năstase | Arthur Ashe | 3-2 (3–6, 6–3, 6–7, 6–4, 6–3) |
| 1973 | John Newcombe | Jan Kodeš | 3-2 (6–4, 1–6, 4–6, 6–2, 6–3) |
| 1974 | Jimmy Connors | Ken Rosewall | 3-0 (6–1, 6–0, 6–1) |
| 1975 | Manuel Orantes | Jimmy Connors | 3-0 (6–4, 6–3, 6–3) |
| 1976 | Jimmy Connors | Björn Borg | 3-1 (6–4, 3–6, 7–6, 6–4) |
| 1977 | Guillermo Vilas | Jimmy Connors | 3-1 (2–6, 6–3, 7–6, 6–0) |
| 1978 | Jimmy Connors | Björn Borg | 3-0 (6–4, 6–2, 6–2) |
| 1979 | John McEnroe | Vitas Gerulaitis | 3-0 (7–5, 6–3, 6–3) |
| 1980 | John McEnroe | Björn Borg | 3-2 (7–6, 6–1, 6–7, 5–7, 6–4) |
| 1981 | John McEnroe | Björn Borg | 3-1 (4–6, 6–2, 6–4, 6–3) |
| 1982 | Jimmy Connors | Ivan Lendl | 3-1 (6–3, 6–2, 4–6, 6–4) |
| 1983 | Jimmy Connors | Ivan Lendl | 3-1 (6–3, 6–7, 7–5, 6–0) |
| 1984 | John McEnroe | Ivan Lendl | 3-0 (6–3, 6–4, 6–1) |
| 1985 | Ivan Lendl | John McEnroe | 3-0 (7–6, 6–3, 6–4) |
| 1986 | Ivan Lendl | Miloslav Mečíř | 3-0 (6–4, 6–2, 6–0) |
| 1987 | Ivan Lendl | Mats Wilander | 3-1 (6–7, 6–0, 7–6, 6–4) |
| 1988 | Mats Wilander | Ivan Lendl | 3-2 (6–4, 4–6, 6–3, 5–7, 6–4) |
| 1989 | Boris Becker | Ivan Lendl | 3-1 (7–6, 1–6, 6–3, 7–6) |
| 1990 | Pete Sampras | Andre Agassi | 3-0 (6–4, 6–3, 6–2) |
| 1991 | Stefan Edberg | Jim Courier | 3-0 (6–2, 6–4, 6–0) |
| 1992 | Stefan Edberg | Pete Sampras | 3-1 (3–6, 6–4, 7–6, 6–2) |
| 1993 | Pete Sampras | Cédric Pioline | 3-0 (6–4, 6–4, 6–3) |
| 1994 | Andre Agassi | Michael Stich | 3-0 (6–1, 7–6, 7–5) |
| 1995 | Pete Sampras | Andre Agassi | 3-1 (6–4, 6–3, 4–6, 7–5) |
| 1996 | Pete Sampras | Michael Chang | 3-0 (6–1, 6–4, 7–6) |
| 1997 | Patrick Rafter | Greg Rusedski | 3-1 (6–3, 6–2, 4–6, 7–5) |
| 1998 | Patrick Rafter | Mark Philippoussis | 3-1 (6–3, 3–6, 6–2, 6–0) |
| 1999 | Andre Agassi | Todd Martin | 3-2 (6–4, 6–7, 6–7, 6–3, 6–2) |
| 2000 | Marat Safin | Pete Sampras | 3-0 (6–4, 6–3, 6–3) |
| 2001 | Lleyton Hewitt | Pete Sampras | 3-0 (7–6, 6–1, 6–1) |
| 2002 | Pete Sampras | Andre Agassi | 3-1 (6–3, 6–4, 5–7, 6–4) |
| 2003 | Andy Roddick | Juan Carlos Ferrero | 3-0 (6–3, 7–6, 6–3) |
| 2004 | Roger Federer | Lleyton Hewitt | 3-0 (6–0, 7–6, 6–0) |
| 2005 | Roger Federer | Andre Agassi | 3-1 (6–3, 2–6, 7–6, 6–1) |
| 2006 | Roger Federer | Andy Roddick | 3-1 (6–2, 4–6, 7–5, 6–1) |
| 2007 | Roger Federer | Novak Djokovic | 3-0 (7–6, 7–6, 6–4) |
| 2008 | Roger Federer | Andy Murray | 3-0 (6–2, 7–5, 6–2) |
| 2009 | Juan Martín del Potro | Roger Federer | 3-2 (3–6, 7–6, 4–6, 7–6, 6–2) |
| 2010 | Rafael Nadal | Novak Djokovic | 3-1 (6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–2) |
| 2011 | Novak Djokovic | Rafael Nadal | 3-1 (6–2, 6–4, 6–7, 6–1) |
| 2012 | Andy Murray | Novak Djokovic | 3-2 (7–6, 7–5, 2–6, 3–6, 6–2) |
| 2013 | Rafael | Novak Djokovic | 3-1 (6–2, 3–6, 6–4, 6–1) |
| 2014 | Marin Čilić | Kei Nishikori | 3-0 (6–3, 6–3, 6–3) |
| 2015 | Novak Djokovic | Roger Federer | 3-1 (6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–4) |
| 2016 | Stan Wawrinka | Novak Djokovic | 3-1 (6–7, 6–4, 7–5, 6–3) |
| 2017 | Rafael Nadal | Kevin Anderson | 3-0 (6–3, 6–3, 6–4) |
| 2018 | Novak Djokovic | Juan Martín del Potro | 3-0 (6–3, 7–6, 6–3) |
| 2019 | Rafael Nadal | Daniil Medvedev | 3-2 (7–5, 6–3, 5–7, 4–6, 6–4) |
| 2020 | Dominic Thiem | Alexander Zverev | 3-2 (2–6, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 7–6) |
| 2021 | Daniil Medvedev | Novak Djokovic | 3-0 (6–4, 6–4, 6–4) |
| 2022 | Carlos Alcaraz | Casper Ruud | 3-1 (6–4, 2–6, 7–6, 6–3) |
| 2023 | Novak Djokovic | Daniil Medvedev | 3-0 (6–3, 7–6, 6–3) |
| 2024 | Jannik Sinner | Taylor Fritz | 3-0 (6–3, 6–4, 7–5) |
| 2025 | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 3-1 (6–2, 3–6, 6–1, 6–4) |
Multiple Winners of the Open Era
The current format of the tournament, known as the “Open Era”, began in 1968 when professional tennis players were allowed to compete alongside amateurs. Since then, three legendary players share the record for the most US Open men’s singles titles won:
- Roger Federer that won 5 times in a row between 2003 and 2008, cementing his myth as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
- “Pistol” Pete Sampras who dominated the biggest part of the 90’s.
- Jimmy Connors who is the only player to have won US Open in three different surfaces (grass 1974, clay 1976 and hardcourt 1982, 1983)
Novak Djokovic continues to chase history as he aims to join the top of the US Open men’s singles winners list. The 39-year-old Serbian legend has already lifted the trophy four times in New York and remains within touching distance of the all-time record in the Open Era. Djokovic: Competition winner is at 12/1 odds at Novibet.
| Player | Trophies |
| Roger Federer (Switzerland) | 5 |
| Pete Sampras (USA) | 5 |
| Jimmy Connors (USA) | 5 |
| Novak Djokovic (Serbia) | 4 |
| Rafael Nadal (Spain) | 4 |
| John McEnroe (USA) | 4 |
| Ivan Lendl (Czechoslovakia) | 3 |
| Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) | 2 |
| Andre Agassi (USA) | 2 |
| Patrick Rafter (Australia) | 2 |
| Stefan Edberg (Sweden) | 2 |
