Alexander Zverev may be the top seed at the US Open, but the German is refusing to see himself as the man to beat despite a men’s draw missing Jannik Sinner and carrying uncertainty over Carlos Alcaraz’s fitness.

Zverev, who finally claimed his maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open earlier this year before finishing runner-up to Sinner at Wimbledon, said the absence of the World No. 1 did little to alter his outlook ahead of the season’s final Major.

“I feel like I’m one of the 128 players that are favourites in the draw,” Zverev said ahead of the tournament at Flushing Meadows.

Alcaraz returns after more than four months away because of a right wrist injury. The Spaniard, who completed a career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open in January, says he has fully recovered, although questions remain over his match sharpness.

Zverev expects Alcaraz to need time to settle before becoming a serious contender. The Spaniard is attempting to become the first man since Roger Federer in 2008 to successfully defend the US Open title.

Novak Djokovic remains firmly in the mix as well. The 39-year-old, seeded fourth, continues his pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam singles crown.

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Ben Shelton also dismissed suggestions that Sinner’s knee injury had suddenly made the title race easier. The American pointed to Zverev, Alcaraz and Djokovic, along with emerging players such as Arthur Fils, who won his maiden ATP Masters title in Cincinnati last week.

Shelton also believes the American contingent could prove dangerous on home hard courts after his own 2025 campaign ended with a third-round retirement due to a shoulder problem.

The women’s draw carries similar uncertainty. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is chasing a third consecutive US Open crown, a feat achieved previously only by Chris Evert and Serena Williams.

Sabalenka, however, has not reached a final since winning Indian Wells and Miami. Elena Rybakina has closed the gap in the rankings and could take over the No. 1 spot with a deep run in New York.

Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff also arrive with recent form behind them. Gauff beat Pegula in the Cincinnati final, while Swiatek claimed her first title of the year in Toronto.

Two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka is another major name in the field, while young players such as Alexandra Eala and Sara Bejlek add further depth to what promises to be an open tournament.

(With inputs from AFP).

Published on Aug 29, 2026