US Tennis Open 2026: Dates, Favourites & Betting Markets
2026 has brought us exceptional tennis, with every major being one to remember. First up was the Australian Open, which kicked off the tennis season in January at Melbourne Park. The final of the Australian Open final saw tennis legend Djokovic back in action against Alcaraz where he was ultimately defeated the final. Next up was the French Open, where Alexander Zverev finally won his first major title against Flavio Cobolli. The German player kept the momentum into Wimbledon, the next major tournament on the tennis calendar. Zverev lost in the final against world number one Jannik Sinner, but it was a match for the history books.
The US Open 2026 is the last of the four major tennis tournaments on the 2026 calendar. The event starts on Sunday, 23 August and runs for two weeks, with the final scheduled for 13 September. The US Open is one of the oldest tennis tournaments in the world, having started in 1881. Since then, the tournament has used three different playing surfaces. Organisers initially staged it on grass before switching to clay and eventually settling on hard courts.
New York’s USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre has hosted the United States Open tennis tournament since 1978, when the event moved to a hard-court surface. Fans may also refer to the competition as the American Open, although the US Open remains its official and most widely recognised name.
As the next tennis Grand Slam on the calendar, the tournament brings together the world’s leading players for two weeks of Grand Slam tennis. Consequently, the US Open Grand Slam usually delivers exciting matches, major upsets and plenty of betting opportunities.
When Does the US Open Start?
For anyone asking, “when does the US Open start?”, the main tournament begins on Sunday, 23 August 2026. The US Open 2026 then continues until Sunday, 13 September, when the final champion will be crowned in New York.
Tennis fans should remember that match times can change throughout the competition. Therefore, it is worth checking the daily order of play before following a match or placing a bet.
Format and Past Winners
The US Tennis Open 2026 follows a knockout format, which means that a player exits the tournament after losing a match. The eventual singles champion must therefore win seven consecutive matches to lift the trophy.
Both the men’s and women’s singles draws begin with 128 players. Competitors can enter through their world ranking, the qualifying tournament, a wildcard or special exemptions granted under exceptional circumstances.
Women’s singles matches use a best-of-three-set format, while men’s singles matches use a best-of-five-set format. However, every match can still produce lengthy rallies, momentum swings and tie-break drama on the tournament’s hard courts.
Aryna Sabalenka has won the last two women’s US Open titles. The Belarusian world number one will aim to continue her dominance in New York, although she faces strong competition from several former Grand Slam champions.
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz won the men’s title in 2025 after Jannik Sinner claimed it in 2024. The singles champions will each receive an impressive $5 million in prize money.
Favourites to Win the 2026 Title
The men’s singles competition at The US Tennis Open 2026 looks wide open, with several of the highest-ranked players capable of winning the title. However, much of the attention will fall on the developing Alcaraz -Sinner rivalry.
Jannik Sinner enters the tournament with confidence after winning Wimbledon and will look to secure his second major title of the year. Carlos Alcaraz is also chasing a second major of the season. As a result, fans following the Alcaraz Grand Slams record will watch closely to see whether he can add another major trophy.
The Carlos Alcaraz Grand Slam record already places him among the leading players of his generation. Furthermore, another Alcaraz–Sinner match in New York could become one of the highlights of the men’s US Open 2026 tournament.
South African supporters will also have a local player to follow, as Lloyd Harris is expected to participate. Harris currently sits at No. 179 in the world rankings, although he achieved a career-high ranking of No. 31 in 2021. While he faces a difficult draw, a strong run would give local tennis fans something extra to celebrate.
Women’s US Open Favourites
Aryna Sabalenka enters the women’s division as one of the leading contenders for the title. However, Iga Swiatek should provide a serious challenge after previously winning the US Open in 2022.
American star Coco Gauff could also stand in Sabalenka’s way. Gauff won the title in 2023 after beating Sabalenka in the final, and she will once again enjoy strong support from the New York crowd.
Naomi Osaka is another former champion who could attract attention. The Japanese star knows how to perform on hard courts and has previously won the tournament twice. Therefore, her form and position in the draw will be worth monitoring.
Betting Markets for the US Open
The outright winner market is one of the most popular ways to bet on US Open tennis. This market simply requires bettors to predict which player will win the tournament.
Alternatively, bettors can wager on a player to reach the final, semi-finals or quarter-finals. These markets may appeal to players who believe a contender will progress deep into the tournament but may not necessarily lift the trophy.
Many licensed South African bookmakers also provide pre-match and live markets throughout the Grand Slam. Popular options may include:
- Match winner
- Set winner
- Correct set score
- Total games
- Game handicap
- Player to win a tie-break
- Next game winner
- Tournament outright winner
- Player to reach the final
Live betting can add further excitement because the odds change as a match develops. For example, a bookmaker may offer markets on who will win the next set, game or tie-break. However, bettors should follow the match carefully and avoid making rushed decisions based on a short change in momentum.To understand Tennis Betting have a look at our Tennis Betting Explained Guide.
US Open 2026 Betting Outlook
Betting on which players will reach the semi-finals may look attractive because several top-ranked contenders have the quality to make a deep run. Nevertheless, the US Open can be unpredictable, especially when leading players face difficult draws or struggle with New York’s late-summer conditions.
The US Tennis Open 2026 should provide an exciting conclusion to the year’s Grand Slam season. South African fans will hope to see Lloyd Harris progress as far as possible, while the battles between Alcaraz, Sinner, Sabalenka, Swiatek, Gauff and Osaka should keep the tournament entertaining until the final weekend.
Best Tennis Betting Sites in South Africa
South African bettors can find US Open markets at several licensed betting sites. Hollywoodbets, Betway, Playa Bets and 10bet rank among the best tennis betting sites in South Africa, offering pre-match odds, live betting and a wide selection of match and tournament markets.
When comparing bookmakers for The US Tennis Open 2026, consider the range of available markets, the competitiveness of the odds and the quality of the live-betting platform. Useful tennis markets may include match winner, set betting, total games, game handicaps, tie-break betting and outright tournament winners.
Furthermore, always confirm that the bookmaker holds a valid South African provincial gambling licence. Bettors should also compare odds before placing a wager and use responsible betting tools to control their spending.
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