US Open 2026: Alcaraz and Sabalenka Lead Amid Surprises
The floodlights are on in Queens, the last Grand Slam of the season is in full swing, and the chase for the US Open crown already feels ruthless.
Carlos Alcaraz walks back into Flushing Meadows with a target on his back and a point to prove. This is his first event since injury, yet he arrives as defending champion and the bookmakers’ clear pick at +120 on DraftKings. The draw has thinned in one seismic jolt: four-time US Open winner Novak Djokovic is gone, dragged into a five-set street fight and beaten by Mariano Navone in a marathon opening-round epic. That result ripped the men’s field wide open.
With Jannik Sinner sidelined by injury, Alcaraz’s main threats come from a pack that knows this is an opening they might not see again soon. Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton, Flavio Cobolli, and 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev headline the list of contenders eyeing the gap left by Djokovic’s early exit. Every night session now feels like a statement opportunity.
On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka is trying to do what few manage in New York: defend a title while everyone aims straight at her. She’s also fighting to keep hold of the world No. 1 ranking, with Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula all close enough to smell blood. Sabalenka starts as the favorite at +290, but the storylines behind her are piling up fast.
Iga Świątek cannot reclaim No. 1 here, yet her form over the past month has shifted the mood around her season. After a rocky spell, she has powered back into the conversation and looks every bit a threat to run deep again. Naomi Osaka’s return always draws a crowd, Alex Eala continues to grow into the big stage, and the Williams name still hangs over the grounds. Venus Williams is out of the singles after a first-round loss, but she will link up with Serena Williams in women’s doubles, a pairing that instantly becomes must-watch tennis.
The only question for fans now is how to keep up with all of it.
How to watch the US Open for free
In Australia, select matches stream live on 9Now. Viewers only need to create a free account and they’re in. In the United States, fans can sample the action without paying up front by using free trials from live TV services such as YouTube TV or Fubo, both of which carry the main broadcasters.
Watching from anywhere
Traveling or living outside your usual broadcast region doesn’t have to mean missing out. Many fans turn to VPNs, or virtual private networks, to keep using their preferred streaming services while abroad. A VPN can temporarily change the virtual location of a device, helping people access familiar apps and sites and adding an extra layer of cybersecurity.
Proton VPN sits among the standout options on the market, with an interface that suits beginners and a broad spread of global servers alongside a stack of security features.
Note: VPNs are illegal in some countries, and using them to bypass regional streaming restrictions can breach terms of use. Viewers are responsible for understanding and complying with local laws and service rules.
Where to watch in the United States
In the US, ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC share broadcast duties, with every other match tucked behind the ESPN+ paywall. The most complete approach is an ESPN Unlimited subscription at $32 a month, which unlocks live streams from the flagship ESPN channels, ESPN on ABC content, and ESPN+ exclusives in one bundle.
Those who prefer a broader cable alternative can lean on live TV services. Fubo and YouTube TV both carry ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 and both currently tempt new users with discounts and trials.
Fubo includes the three key channels in its Sports + News plan at $65 a month, with around 30 channels in total and $10 off the first month after a free trial. The same trio appears in the Pro and Elite packages, which climb past 200 channels. All three Fubo plans also include ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost, which means access to the ESPN+ matches is folded into the price.
YouTube TV offers ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 in its Main and Sports plans. The Main plan lists at $83 a month, but new users can take $15 off for each of the first five months under a current promotion. The Sports plan, normally $65 a month, is temporarily cut to $45 a month for the first six months. Both plans come with a free trial, giving fans a chance to test the coverage as the tournament heats up.
Where to watch in the UK
In the UK, the US Open belongs to Sky Sports. Subscribers can watch across the network’s dedicated channels through a standard Sky TV package, with pricing shaped by contract length and add-ons. For those who prefer flexibility, Now offers streaming access to Sky Sports with several membership options, including a single-day pass at £15 for fans who only want to dip into the biggest matches.
Where to watch in Australia
Australian viewers who want every ball struck at Flushing Meadows will need Stan Sport. The full package comes to $30 a month: $10 for the base Stan subscription and an additional $20 for the Sport add-on. Channel Nine and 9Now provide select matches for free, available to stream with a simple login.
Recent years suggest that, while not every early-round match makes the free slate, coverage usually broadens as the tournament progresses, with a clear focus on the top seeds and home players. So far in 2026, that pattern has held.
Who’s out, who’s in, and what it all means
Djokovic’s departure remains the headline shock. Navone’s five-set triumph did more than remove a legend from the draw; it reshaped the psychology of the men’s event. Names like Alex de Minaur, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Lorenzo Musetti have also fallen, trimming away established threats and nudging lesser-known players into the spotlight. On the women’s side, the damage has been far lighter, with the main contenders largely still standing.
The US Open always finds a way to produce chaos. This year, it arrived early. With Alcaraz and Sabalenka at the front of the betting markets and a chasing pack sensing opportunity, the question now is simple: who will still be standing under the lights in Queens when New York’s final Grand Slam night rolls around?
