The hardcourt Grand Slam in Queens, a cornerstone of tennis since 1881.
Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Masters as he continues to recover from an injury that forced him to quit the Barcelona Open in April. Tournament director Bob Moran has said organisers know Alcaraz is doing all he can to return; the US Open begins on August 30 and Alcaraz has not confirmed plans for lead-up events.
Today’s updates have sharpened focus on ongoing policy shifts as officials face new pressures. The events have prompted immediate reactions and signal potential future changes.
New York City has hit peak summer activity with record crowds and spending. After Knicks’ championship and World Cup crowds, the city remains lively as visitors push commerce and events into high gear this August.
Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula will meet in the Cincinnati women’s final, the first all-American showdown there in 56 years, after Pegula defeats Swiatek and Gauff defeats Bejlek. On the men’s side, Frances Tiafoe faces Arthur Fils in a historic final—the first Cincinnati Masters 1000 final with two Black players. Winners will headline the US Open build-up.
Czech qualifier Sara Bejlek has upset world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Cincinnati, rallying from 5-1 down in the first-set tiebreak and saving two set points to win 7-6(7) 6-4. The result puts Elena Rybakina’s hold on the top ranking in jeopardy as she can replace Sabalenka at the summit by reaching the final.
The four majors have unveiled a record prize pool and new player welfare measures, including a Grand Slam Player Council and a dedicated funding stream, in response to player protests over remuneration. The US Open will host the first implementation, with substantial increases across categories, and a $2 million allocation to a new player support programme.
Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed he will return to competitive tennis at the US Open after missing more than four months with a right wrist injury. The 23-year-old is seeded second at Flushing Meadows, where organisers have increased the total prize fund to a record $108m and will launch a grand slam player advisory council after the tournament.
Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz have been given a wild card to the US Open mixed doubles main draw. The pair will compete in a revamped two-day, 16-team format with a $1 million prize. Williams is not planned to play singles, while Alcaraz is returning from a right wrist injury. The field also features other high-profile duos as the tournament reshapes its schedule.
Roger Federer has been inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport after a storied career that included 20 Grand Slam titles. In the run-up, he has performed exhibition matches in New York, signaling a lasting legacy beyond competition and underscoring his impact on fans and the sport.
Serena Williams has reunited with Carlos Alcaraz at the U.S. Open for mixed doubles, marking her first appearance on the New York hardcourt since 2022. The revamped format pairs star singles players with doubles specialists, a move that has drawn criticism for prioritising star power over specialists. The pair won their opening match but were eliminated from the later rounds, reflecting both Williams’ comeback and the format’s mixed reception.
At the US Open, Karolína Muchová and Jakub Menšík have won the mixed doubles title, with a renewed emphasis on singles players amid the revamped format. The event drew big crowds and featured high-profile appearances, including Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz, though several doubles specialists exited early.
The Williams sisters have been granted a wildcard to compete in the US Open doubles, reuniting after their last New York appearance in 2022. Serena has returned to tennis this summer and will not play singles, while Venus is entering singles and doubles as she pursues a continued comeback. The duo will begin their campaign in New York in early September, with the doubles final scheduled for 11 September.
The former U.S. Open champion has not been granted a wild card for the hard-court Grand Slam in his final year on tour. Wawrinka, 41, missed the U.S. Open’s main-draw wild-card list, following a career that included three Grand Slam titles and a brutal inner drive to a career Grand Slam. Fellow veteran Gaël Monfils received a wild card while ranking details kept Wawrinka at 125th. The story tracks the emotional arc of a final major appearance and the debate over wild-card equity.
Fery has claimed a 3-6 7-5 6-3 win in the North Carolina quarter-final, earning a first US Open semi-final berth since Wimbledon. He will meet James Duckworth in the last four after Duckworth defeated Fabian Marozsan.
Sabalenka has expressed concern over the smell of cannabis drifting onto Louis Armstrong Stadium during her third‑round win at the US Open. She has called for greater awareness around the stadium area as players continue their campaigns for a third consecutive title. Other top players are also advancing, with Alcaraz and Medvedev confirming progress to the fourth round.
Novak Djokovic has reached the US Open round one but battles a serious health issue that has him vomiting and cramping. He says the condition is
Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team in a handwritten Instagram statement published on 31 August 2026. The 39-year-old has said he has "nothing left to give" after leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup and to the 2026 final. Tributes and plans for a farewell match are under way; Argentina will meet friendly opponents in September.
Kyrgios has been suspended after testing positive for cocaine; Tsitsipas says he anticipated the news and discusses the fallout at the US Open. The sport faces questions about penalties, timing, and the players’ ongoing rivalry.
The 17-year-old Frodin, who has a background in film as Serena Williams’ body double, is making her US Open singles debut after earning a wildcard via the USTA Girls’ 18s National Championships. She is facing Elena Rybakina in New York, with prior matches in qualifying and on the doubles side.
British number one Katie Boulter suffers a 6-1 6-0 defeat to Karolina Muchova at the US Open after a late move to Louis Armstrong Stadium, with other British players facing delays and rain-impacted play.
Aryna Sabalenka has retained focus at the US Open, addressing questions about her schedule and off-court activities while stressing that training and mental strength drive her. She is preparing for the next rounds after a dominant performance, with rivals pushing for top rankings.
Influencers have been credentialed to cover the U.S. Open, doubling from last year. Disruptions during matches have drawn criticism from players and observers about etiquette and the balance between growing the sport and preserving on-court focus. Naomi Osaka and other stars say etiquette must guide fan coverage as attendance rises.
LeBron James has teased a collaboration with Polymarket, with a 14-second video showing the NBA star at Polymarket HQ. CNBC reports the partnership focuses on football, with more details expected next week. The deal marks James’ latest step into prediction markets, joining a cadre of athletes and leagues expanding in this space.
Carlos Alcaraz has reached the US Open fourth round after beating Tommy Paul in straight sets, extending his majors winning run to 18. He faces Ben Shelton or Stefanos Tsitsipas next as he continues his comeback from a four-month wrist injury.
Mbappé has won the World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals and now leads all-time World Cup goals with 22. He says a Ballon d’Or win could be possible this year despite Real Madrid’s lack of major trophies, as Madrid prepare for Inter Milan in the Champions League. Mourinho and Chivu reflect on past glory as Madrid look to rebound from a setback.
Top seed Alexander Zverev has beaten Luciano Darderi at Arthur Ashe, with other US Open results shaping the quarterfinals. Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina also advance, setting up late-stage clashes as players contend for titles amid injuries and form concerns.
Elena Rybakina has clinched the women's title, and Alexander Zverev has secured his second Grand Slam of 2026 at the US Open, capping a season-era shift as American hopes for a major title fade. The finals have underscored a year of dominant performances by top seeds and a changing competitive landscape.
Zverev has reached the US Open final after beating Khachanov in straight sets, cementing his place in contention for a second Grand Slam title this year following his French Open triumph. Shelton's hopes of ending America's long drought remain alive with a looming final against the German.
The US Open is drawing attention for more than tennis this year as influencers in the stands are transforming the spectator experience. Longtime fans accuse content creators of disrupting play with ring lights and live filming, while organizers note growing engagement and a changing marketing landscape.
Ben Shelton has advanced to his first Grand Slam final at the US Open after defeating Frances Tiafoe in a four-set thriller. He will face top seed Alexander Zverev, who also reached the final by overcoming Karen Khachanov in straight sets. The match culminates a weekend of standout American runs in New York.
Elena Rybakina has moved to world No. 1 after defeating Aryna Sabalenka en route to winning the US Open final. Rybakina seals the top ranking while Sabalenka ends the year without a Grand Slam title, after a season of high drama and new milestones.
Elena Rybakina has won the US Open, defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 5-7 6-2 to become the new World No. 1. The victory caps a breakthrough year that included an Australian Open title and a Wimbledon triumph, while Sabalenka ends the season without a Grand Slam title. The outcome also ends Sabalenka’s long run atop the rankings and sets up a fresh chapter in their rivalry.
Lionel Messi has helped Inter Miami win the Campeones Cup with a 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul, sealing the club’s first Campeones Cup trophy and adding another trophy to Messi’s MLS era. Casemiro’s late header secures the win after Messi’s early headed goal; the ceremony also marks new coach Cristian Gonzalez’s first game in charge.
Alexander Zverev has claimed a second Grand Slam title at the US Open, defeating Ben Shelton in four sets to end American hopes for a homegrown champion since 2003. Shelton had reached the final amid historic firsts, including being the first Black American man in the New York final in 54 years.
Europe has secured a 13-5 victory against Team World on the final day of the Laver Cup at the O2 Arena, extending Europe’s domination with a strong show of depth led by Zverev, Alcaraz and Cobolli/Mensik. Alcaraz’s late-day heroics and a dominant doubles pairings sealed the result as Europe clinched the trophy.
Jannik Sinner has announced a course of treatment for inflammation in his knee, following his Wimbledon title. He will miss the remainder of the 2026 season as he prioritises long-term health, with Beijing and Shanghai’s outcomes shaping the race for world No. 1 as Alex Zverev closes in.