US Open 2026: Can Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka defend their titles?

In preparation for the upcoming US Open 2026, the prospects of last year's champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka are being evaluated. Alcaraz has been out of action for four months due to a wrist injury, which has forced him to miss the French Open and Wimbledon. He is recovering but is not yet fit for competitive play. Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner has emerged as the dominant force in men's tennis, winning Wimbledon and causing early exits in Paris due to extreme heat.

In the betting market, Sinner is favored to win the US Open at odds of 1.64, while Alcaraz follows at 3.06. The two players had shared the Grand Slam titles in 2024-2025, but the odds have shifted significantly. Experts are doubtful about Alcaraz's chances, given his lengthy absence from competitive play and the physical toll of a best-of-five-set tournament in high temperatures and humidity.

Andy Roddick, a former US Open champion, advises against Alcaraz returning to competition due to the risks posed by his injured wrist. As a result, Alcaraz may skip the 2026 US Open and return directly to the tournament. Additionally, Alcaraz is expected to drop to the No. 3 entry on the tournament's official website, potentially facing Sinner in the semifinals.

In women's tennis, Aryna Sabalenka is the current favorite for the US Open, but her recent results have been inconsistent, with runner-up finishes in the Australian Open, quarterfinals in Roland Garros, and round of 16 at Wimbledon. Sabalenka has won tournaments in Miami and Indian Wells, but early exits in Madrid, Rome, Berlin, and Toronto suggest a lack of consistency.

With no player ranked in the top five currently favored, the 2026 US Open could be won by an unranked outsider. The tournament begins on August 30, and fans can follow the action on the courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center with 1xBet.