US Open 2026: Djokovic Hunts Record 25th Slam, Wawrinka Farewell

The Chase for a Record 25th Grand Slam

The 2026 US Open opened Sunday at Flushing Meadows with Novak Djokovic launching a bid to stand alone in the history books. At 39 years old and holding 24 Grand Slam singles titles — equal to the all-time record — the four-time US Open champion needs just one more major to become the sport's most decorated player ever. He began that quest Sunday evening against Argentina's Mariano Navone in the first night-session match on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Djokovic enters as the fourth seed following the reshuffle triggered by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner's withdrawal due to a knee injury. French Open champion Alexander Zverev steps up to top seed, with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz second and Felix Auger-Aliassime third. Djokovic and Alcaraz are placed in the same half of the draw, making a semi-final clash between the two a genuine possibility if both progress as expected through the early rounds.

Wawrinka's Bittersweet Farewell

Running parallel to Djokovic's pursuit of history is a story at the opposite end of a career. Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka — three-time Grand Slam champion and the 2016 US Open title holder — accepted a wild card for what is widely expected to be his final appearance at a major. At 41 years old, exactly ten years after lifting the trophy here, Wawrinka faces Italy's Matteo Berrettini in the first round. The pair met at Wimbledon earlier this summer, with Berrettini edging through 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 7-6 in a four-tiebreak marathon. The winner of their New York rematch is projected to meet Djokovic in the second round.

Day 1 Action: Medvedev, Pegula and the Afternoon Card

The afternoon session featured seventh seed Daniil Medvedev against French qualifier Hugo Gaston on Arthur Ashe, while third seed Jessica Pegula opened the women's card against Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Medvedev arrives at Flushing Meadows under pressure after a difficult 2026: he suffered early exits at Roland Garros and at Winston-Salem, where qualifier Martin Damm defeated him in straight sets last week. The 2021 US Open champion will be keen to restore his Grand Slam credentials on the sport's hardest hard-court stage.

Elina Svitolina, a consistent Grand Slam performer, also opened her campaign Sunday against Solana Sierra on Louis Armstrong Stadium, offering a further glimpse of the depth in the women's draw.

Defending Champions Enter on Day 2, Zverev on Day 3

Both reigning champions begin their title defences on Monday. Alcaraz faces Russia's Roman Safiullin for his first competitive singles match since suffering a right wrist injury in Barcelona in April — more than four months out of singles action. The Spaniard played mixed doubles at Flushing Meadows earlier in the week to ease himself back into the competition environment. Aryna Sabalenka, the women's top seed bidding for an unprecedented three consecutive US Open titles, opens Monday against Colombia's Camila Osorio. Top seed Zverev does not take the court until Tuesday, when he meets Italy's Lorenzo Sonego.

With a record $108 million prize fund and a draw shaped by Sinner's enforced absence, the 2026 US Open has already assembled a compelling cast of storylines. The tournament runs through September 13, with Djokovic needing seven wins to claim his fifth US Open title and sole ownership of the all-time Grand Slam record.