US Open opens with a twist: The Grand Slam that suddenly feels wide open

The tennis world is waking up to a US Open unlike any in recent years.

The final Grand Slam of 2026 began in New York on Sunday with the men's draw immediately thrown open by the absence of world No.1 Jannik Sinner, while defending champion Carlos Alcaraz returns after injury. Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, is chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.

And the uncertainty is not confined to the men's tournament.

On the women's side, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is seeking a third consecutive US Open crown, while American hopes are being carried by players including Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff.

Sinner's absence changes everything

Sinner's withdrawal has removed the world's top-ranked player from the tournament for the first time since his Grand Slam debut in 2019.

The Italian pulled out with a right-knee injury after missing the hard-court tournaments leading into New York. His absence has significantly altered the men's title race, particularly because he arrived as the reigning Wimbledon champion and one of the dominant players of the season.

That leaves Alcaraz, Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and others with a major opportunity.

Alcaraz, who won the US Open last year, is back after an injury interruption. Djokovic's motivation is perhaps even clearer: another title would give the 39-year-old his 25th Grand Slam singles crown.

The result is a tournament in which the usual question—who can stop Sinner?—has disappeared.

Now the question is: who can seize the opening?

Djokovic begins another record chase

Djokovic was scheduled to begin his campaign against Argentina's Mariano Navone, with the Serbian once again carrying the weight of history into Flushing Meadows.

For Djokovic, the tournament is about more than another trophy.

A 25th major would extend his record in men's Grand Slam singles titles and add another extraordinary chapter to a career that has already stretched across generations.

But the men's field has reasons for optimism too.

The first day already demonstrated how unpredictable the tournament could become.

Seventh seed Daniil Medvedev advanced in straight sets against French qualifier Hugo Gaston, while British hopes suffered a blow when Cameron Norrie was eliminated by Frenchman Luca van Assche.

Twenty-seventh seed Barbora Krejcikova was also knocked out by Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova, one of the opening day's biggest upsets.

Pegula delivers for the home crowd

American third seed Jessica Pegula made a confident start, defeating Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-2.

For the American contingent, Pegula's progress will be closely watched as she attempts to turn strong performances into a deep run on home soil.

Jasmine Paolini also survived a difficult opening test, beating Slovenia's Veronika Erjavec 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

Meanwhile, former champion Medvedev and Ukraine's Elina Svitolina also moved into the second round.

Sabalenka faces a different kind of pressure

If the men's competition is defined by uncertainty, the women's tournament has a very clear central storyline.

Sabalenka is attempting something extremely difficult: winning the US Open for a third consecutive year.

She enters the tournament as defending champion and one of the players expected to contend for the title, but the women's field is packed with challengers. Gauff, Pegula and Elena Rybakina are among those capable of disrupting Sabalenka's bid for another New York triumph.

The pressure is therefore different.

For some players, New York represents an opportunity.

For Sabalenka, it represents the chance to create a piece of tennis history.

A $108 million backdrop

There is also a financial story unfolding at Flushing Meadows.

The 2026 US Open is offering a record $108 million prize purse, the largest in tennis history. The singles champions are set to receive $5.5 million each.

The money comes amid continuing debate over how professional tennis distributes its enormous revenues and whether lower-ranked players receive enough support.

That debate adds another dimension to a tournament already carrying huge sporting stakes.

Rain interrupts opening day

Even the weather played a role in the opening drama.

Rain forced the cancellation of several matches on the outside courts, with seven matches postponed to Monday. Play continued under the roofs of Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong stadiums.

Monday's programme brings another wave of major names and storylines as the tournament settles into its 15-day format.

And that may be the defining feature of this year's US Open.

There is no single overwhelming favourite in the men's draw. There is a champion trying to defend her crown and make history in the women's draw. There are returning stars, emerging challengers, injuries, upsets and a record prize fund.

For tennis fans waking up around the world, the message from New York is simple:

The road to the final has rarely looked this open.