Tennis Weekly — 2026-08-28
The 2026 US Open is set to begin in New York with major storylines emerging from the pre-tournament landscape. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has officially withdrawn due to a persistent knee injury, while Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed his return to competition. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic has raised concerns about his fitness after cutting short a practice session in the intense New York heat.
Tennis Weekly — 2026-08-28
Tournament Recap
The US Open qualifying rounds and mixed doubles events are underway as the main draw approaches. The tournament schedule confirms the start of singles qualifying, marking the official beginning of the final Grand Slam of the year.
In the lead-up to the main draw, the Winston-Salem Open ATP 2026 is serving as the final tune-up event (Aug 23–29). The entry list features players like Darderi, Rinderknech, and Fery, with a new champion assured as Fucsovics is absent.
Player Spotlight
Jannik Sinner Withdraws; Alcaraz Returns The biggest news of the week is the withdrawal of World No. 1 Jannik Sinner from the US Open. The Italian cited a persistent right knee injury, a significant setback for the season's final major. This decision comes just days after he had already withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open for the same reason.
Conversely, Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed his participation in the US Open, marking his comeback to competitive tennis. His return was announced via a social media post shared by football transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, adding a unique crossover moment to the tennis world.
Djokovic Struggles in Heat Novak Djokovic, 39, has raised fresh questions about his readiness for the US Open after cutting short a practice session with Zizou Bergs after just three games on Tuesday. Reports indicate that the extreme heat in New York put his body under significant strain, leading to the early termination of the practice match.
Coming Up
The US Open main draw begins this week at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows. Key storylines will include Alcaraz's first matches back, the impact of Sinner's absence on the men's draw, and whether Djokovic can overcome his heat-related fitness concerns.
Experts are predicting strong American threats in both men's and women's draws, with players like Coco Gauff seen as key contenders in the absence of some top seeds.
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