US Open 2026: Rising Stars, Dark Horses and Players to Watch
The 2026 US Open is almost here, and while the biggest names in tennis will naturally dominate the headlines, some of the most exciting stories in New York could come from players who aren't always the first names mentioned when discussing the favorites.
The US Open has a long history of creating breakthrough moments. Every year, a young player announces themselves on the biggest stage, an established star makes an unexpected run, or a dark horse knocks out one of the tournament favorites.
This year, there is no shortage of players who could do exactly that. From young players looking to make their Grand Slam breakthrough, to former champions trying to rediscover their best form, these are 10 players to watch at the 2026 US Open.
The Big Names Are Still the Ones to Beat
Of course, you can't talk about the men's US Open without mentioning Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev. Sinner remains one of the leading contenders, while Djokovic's experience and history at the tournament make him impossible to overlook. Zverev has also consistently shown that he can compete deep into Grand Slam tournaments. But beyond those familiar names, the 2026 US Open has a fascinating group of younger players and potential dark horses who could steal the spotlight.
Carlos Alcaraz: The Biggest Question Mark
Carlos Alcaraz may actually be one of the most fascinating players to watch at this year's US Open. He isn't exactly a dark horse. He's a Grand Slam champion, one of the biggest stars in tennis and one of the players fans most want to see. But this year, there is a major question mark surrounding him. Alcaraz has been dealing with a wrist injury and has missed significant time, including withdrawing from Cincinnati. That means there are legitimate questions about how much match preparation and rhythm he will have heading into New York. That doesn't mean he can't make a deep run. Quite the opposite.
If Alcaraz is healthy and quickly finds his rhythm, he could immediately return to the role of one of the tournament's biggest favorites. His rivalry with Sinner has become one of the defining stories of men's tennis, and fans will be eager to see whether Alcaraz can return to his best form. For that reason alone, Carlos Alcaraz is one of the must-watch players of the 2026 US Open.
Men's Rising Stars and Dark Horses
1. Rafael Jodar
At just 19, Rafael Jodar is the kind of player who could become one of the tournament's breakout stories. The young Spaniard has been generating attention as part of the next generation of men's tennis, and his upside is enormous. The biggest question is experience. A Grand Slam is a completely different environment from the regular ATP Tour. But that's precisely what makes players like Jodar so fascinating. A few big wins in New York could put him on the international tennis map almost overnight.
2. Arthur Fils
If you're looking for a player who could take a major step forward in New York, Arthur Fils deserves serious attention. The Frenchman is an explosive shotmaker with the kind of power and athleticism that can make him extremely dangerous on hard courts. Fils has already established himself as one of the young players capable of competing at the highest level, but the next step is turning that potential into a deep Grand Slam run. The US Open could provide the perfect opportunity. He's no longer an unknown prospect. The question is whether this is the tournament where he turns potential into a genuine breakthrough.
3. Ben Shelton
Ben Shelton is one of the most exciting young Americans to watch at the US Open. The 23-year-old has already shown that he can handle the pressure of playing on the biggest stages, and his combination of a huge serve, explosive forehand and athleticism makes him particularly dangerous on hard courts. Shelton has also experienced what it feels like to make a deep run in New York. He reached the US Open quarterfinals in 2023, announcing himself as one of the rising stars of American tennis. Now, the expectations are higher.
With his powerful game and aggressive approach, Shelton has the tools to cause problems for some of the tournament's biggest names. And playing in front of a home crowd at the US Open could provide another boost. If Shelton's serve is clicking and he can stay composed in the biggest moments, he has the game to make some noise.
4. Flavio Cobolli
Italy's Flavio Cobolli is another name that shouldn't be overlooked. With Sinner receiving so much attention, it's easy to forget that Italian men's tennis has produced an increasingly deep group of talented players. Cobolli has shown that he can compete in long Grand Slam matches and handle difficult opponents. He may not be the first name that comes up when discussing the US Open favorites, which is exactly why he's an intriguing dark horse.
5. Learner Tien
American tennis fans have another young player to get excited about. Learner Tien has been steadily building a reputation as one of the next generation of American men tennis players. His rise has been particularly interesting because of his ability to compete with players who have significantly more experience. Playing a Grand Slam on home soil brings enormous pressure, but it also creates an opportunity. If Tien catches fire early, don't be surprised if the New York crowd gets behind him.
Women to Watch at the 2026 US Open
The women's tournament may be even more unpredictable. In addition to the dominant names like Sabalenka, Rybakina, Swiatek, Gauff, and others, there is an incredible collection of young players coming through the WTA ranks and established stars whose current form makes them particularly interesting to watch.
1. Alex Eala
Alex Eala has become one of the biggest stories in tennis this year, and not simply because of her results. The Filipina star is rapidly becoming a global tennis attraction. Eala's breakthrough on the biggest stages began with her spectacular 2025 Miami Open run, when she reached the semifinals of the WTA 1000 event. But 2026 has brought an even bigger breakthrough. In August, Eala captured her first WTA Tour singles title at the Washington Open, defeating world No. 3 Jessica Pegula in the final. It was a historic victory, making Eala the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA Tour-level singles title. The win also moved her to a career-high ranking of No. 20. And the significance goes well beyond the trophy. Eala is bringing an entirely new audience to women's tennis.
The Alex Eala Effect
One of the most fascinating aspects of Eala's rise has been the number of fans who now follow her wherever she plays. Filipino fans have turned up in huge numbers at tournaments, creating an atmosphere that can feel more like a home match than a neutral-site event. The demand has also translated into ticket sales. Reports surrounding Eala's recent tournaments have highlighted the extraordinary interest in her matches, with organizers moving matches to larger courts to accommodate demand. That's remarkable. Eala isn't simply building a fanbase. She's changing the numbers around women's tennis. Her fans travel. They buy tickets. They fill stadiums. They create an atmosphere. And that could make her matches at the US Open some of the most exciting to watch, particularly if she makes another deep run. Eala has already shown that she can beat elite competition. Now she has the confidence of a WTA champion. The next question is how far she can go in New York.
2. Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka may not be a traditional dark horse, but that's exactly what makes her such an interesting player to watch at the 2026 US Open. The four-time Grand Slam champion has already proven that she knows how to win on the biggest stage. She has won the US Open twice, and hard courts have historically been one of the best surfaces for her powerful, aggressive game. What makes this year's tournament different is the question of where Osaka is in her comeback. When she's playing with confidence, few players can match her combination of power, serving and first-strike tennis. And there have already been encouraging signs this season. At the Canadian Open earlier this month, Osaka pushed Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina to the limit in the quarterfinals, taking the first set and going up a break before Rybakina fought back to win 4-6, 7-6, 6-4.
That result matters. Osaka has shown that she can still compete with the very best players in the sport. The US Open could be an especially meaningful stage for Osaka. New York is where she first became a Grand Slam champion, and she has already shown that she can thrive under the unique pressure and energy of the tournament. If Osaka finds her rhythm and gets through the early rounds, she is exactly the type of player nobody will want to face in the second week.
Don't be surprised if Naomi Osaka becomes one of the stories of this year's US Open.
3. Linda Noskova
Don't overlook Linda Noskova. The Czech star has established herself as one of the young players capable of making a deep Grand Slam run, and her aggressive game makes her particularly interesting on hard courts. Noskova has the type of fearless style that can create problems for higher-ranked opponents. She's also part of a larger group of young players who are quickly moving from "prospects" to legitimate threats on the WTA Tour. The US Open could be another opportunity for her to take that next step.
4. Mirra Andreeva
At just 19 years old, Mirra Andreeva is already one of the most exciting young players in women's tennis. Her rapid rise has been one of the stories of the new generation, and she has already demonstrated that she can compete with and defeat established stars. Andreeva is part of an unusually deep group of young women's players that includes Eala and Noskova. Her confidence is growing, and so is her experience. The big question is whether she can put together a major run on the hard courts of New York. Given what she's already accomplished, counting her out would be a mistake.
5. Victoria Mboko
Another name worth paying attention to is Victoria Mboko. The Canadian teenager has emerged as one of the most exciting young players on the WTA Tour. Mboko represents a larger shift happening in women's tennis: a wave of teenagers and players in their early 20s are no longer waiting for established stars to move aside. They're challenging them now.
Along with Eala, Noskova, Andreeva and other young players, Mboko is helping create one of the most interesting new generations women's tennis has seen in years.
Why the 2026 US Open Could Be a Breakthrough Tournament
The most exciting thing about this year's US Open may not be trying to predict the winner. It may be trying to predict who will become the next star. That's especially true on the women's side, where players such as Eala, Osaka, Noskova, Andreeva and Mboko all bring very different storylines to New York.
On the men's side, Fils, Jodar, Shelton, Tien, and Cobolli represent a similar wave of talent trying to break into the next tier. And then there are the established stars. Sinner is trying to add another Grand Slam. Djokovic is chasing history. Zverev is looking for another major breakthrough. And Alcaraz is attempting to return from injury and find his form in time for the US Open. That combination makes the 2026 US Open particularly compelling.
The Players You May Be Talking About After the US Open
Every year, the US Open introduces tennis fans to someone they weren't watching closely enough before the tournament began. Maybe it's a teenager who suddenly reaches the second week. Maybe it's a lower-ranked player who knocks out a seed. Maybe it's an established champion who rediscovers their best tennis. Or maybe it's a player like Eala, whose impact can be measured not only in wins and rankings, but in the number of people showing up to watch her play. The favorites may get the biggest headlines. But the dark horses, comeback stories, and rising stars could provide the biggest surprises. And that's what makes the US Open so much fun. New York is ready. The big names will be there. The next generation will be there. And by the time the tournament ends, there may be a few names everyone is talking about that weren't on their radar when the tournament began.
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