Flushing Meadows is starting to come alive as tennis’s biggest names arrive and begin their preparations. While the Cincinnati Open is still underway and more players are heading to New York, the US Open has already lost a few big names, including World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who withdrew with a right knee injury.
With the main draw just a week away, four-time champion Novak Djokovic, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, and rising star Alexandra Eala have all been spotted preparing for the final Grand Slam of the year.
Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, and Alexandra Eala Begin US Open Preparations in New York
The US Open’s official social media accounts have been sharing clips of the players arriving at Flushing Meadows.
The tournament’s X account shared a clip of Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, walking towards the Arthur Ashe court with a caption, “GOAT on Court.”
@DjokerNole 👋 pic.twitter.com/Xz2v2ADB8C
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 22, 2026
At 39, Djokovic is chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title amid Carlos Alcaraz’s return after a four-month-long injury hiatus and Sinner’s withdrawal due to injury. After his early exit in Cincinnati, the Serb is also fighting for the No. 4 seed.
With Zverev No. 1, Alcaraz No. 2, and Felix Auger-Aliassime No. 3, the fourth spot is now between Djokovic and Flavio Cobolli following Taylor Fritz’s loss to Brandon Nakashima. Djokovic will keep the No. 4 seed if Cobolli loses his semifinal against Arthur Fils, who is chasing his first Masters 1000 final.
Meanwhile, the WTA draw is taking shape with defending champion Sabalenka back in New York. The World No. 1, who won the US Open title for a second straight year in 2025, has already arrived at Flushing Meadows.
The tournament welcomed her with a clip showing the Belarusian hitting powerful groundstrokes on court. The caption read, “Back-to-back champ is BACK!”
Back-to-back champ is BACK! pic.twitter.com/lMu83NVedK
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 22, 2026
Since winning the Sunshine Double in Miami earlier this year, Sabalenka has struggled to make deep runs, with her best result being a semifinal appearance in Berlin. The 28-year-old will now look to turn things around in New York and become the first woman since Serena Williams to win the US Open three years in a row.
Adding to the excitement is Alex Eala’s arrival. The 21-year-old made history at Flushing Meadows last year by becoming the first Filipino player in the Open Era to win a singles main draw match at a major. This year, she won her first WTA 500 title in Washington as well. Eala was spotted practicing at Arthur Ashe Stadium, and the US Open announced it on X: “@AlexEala05 has arrived!”
@AlexEala05 has arrived! pic.twitter.com/eB727Ee4Pw
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 22, 2026
MORE: Coco Gauff’s Cincinnati Open Run Earns Bold World No. 1 Prediction From Macci
Sabalenka’s opponent from last year’s final, Amanda Anisimova, is also back in New York and looking for another deep run. Anisimova arrived after losing to Jessica Pegula in the Cincinnati quarterfinals, with the US Open welcoming her by posting, “Your 2025 women’s singles finalist has returned! 👋” alongside footage from her practice session.
Your 2025 women’s singles finalist has returned! 👏 pic.twitter.com/WaDylWb2t0
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 22, 2026
The event runs from August 23 to September 13, with Fan Week, qualifying, and mixed doubles taking place before the main draw begins on August 30.
