September brings the final Grand Slam of the 2026 season, with the US Open taking centre stage in New York. Both draws look unusually open, with injuries, returning players and recent changes in form creating opportunities for several contenders.
Sinner out as Alcaraz returns in New York
World number one and reigning Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the US Open because of a knee injury. His absence removes one of the leading contenders and leaves the men's draw significantly more open.
Carlos Alcaraz will make his first appearance since April after recovering from the wrist injury that kept him out of Roland Garros and the entire grass-court season, including Wimbledon. After such a long absence, one of the biggest questions in New York will be how quickly he can rediscover his best level.
Alex Zverev is the top seed and will be looking to add another Grand Slam title to his season, while Novak Djokovic again has the opportunity to pursue a record 25th major title.
There is also a strong group of younger players hoping to take advantage. Montreal champion Ben Shelton and Cincinnati winner Arthur Fils arrive with confidence after successful summers, while Rafael Jodar is another young player attracting attention.
Stan Wawrinka will also make his final Grand Slam appearance in New York, bringing another significant career to a close on one of tennis's biggest stages.
A chance for the next generation
With Sinner absent and questions surrounding Alcaraz's match fitness, the US Open could provide an opportunity for one of the younger players to make a major breakthrough.
Shelton and Fils have already shown during the North American hard-court swing that they can win against strong fields. A deep run in New York would further establish either player among the leading names to watch heading into 2027.
From a Wimbledon perspective, the final months of the season are also useful in identifying which younger players are beginning to make the step from promising prospects to genuine Grand Slam contenders. Those developments can quickly change expectations by the time the tour returns to grass next summer.
World number one ranking on the line
The women's draw carries an additional storyline, with four players capable of finishing the US Open as world number one.
Elena Rybakina is in a strong position and can secure the ranking by reaching the semi-finals, depending on the results of the other contenders. However, an injury that forced her to retire in Cincinnati has created some uncertainty over her participation and fitness.
Aryna Sabalenka arrives in New York needing a strong title defence if she is to retain the number one ranking she has held for the last 99 weeks.
Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff also have a route to the top ranking if they win the title and Rybakina fails to reach the semi-finals. Gauff arrives in particularly good form after winning Cincinnati, while Iga Swiatek also comes into the tournament with renewed confidence following her title in Toronto.
Grand Slam champions look for another major
Roland Garros champion Mirra Andreeva and Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova will both be aiming to win their second Grand Slam titles of the season.
Their progress has been one of the defining features of the women's season. With several established players struggling for consistency at different points in 2026, the younger generation has increasingly become part of the conversation at the biggest tournaments.
Venus Williams has received a singles wildcard for the US Open and will also play doubles alongside her sister Serena, adding another major storyline to the tournament.
What September could tell us ahead of 2027
The US Open will close the Grand Slam season, but its results can also shape expectations for the year ahead. A strong return from Alcaraz, another deep run from Djokovic or a breakthrough by Shelton or Fils could all influence the men's picture heading into 2027.
On the women's side, the battle for the number one ranking and the progress of players such as Andreeva and Noskova will help show whether the changing order seen during 2026 is becoming more established.
For Wimbledon followers, these are longer-term trends rather than immediate grass-court indicators. But by the end of the US Open, we should have a clearer idea of which players are likely to begin 2027 as the leading names to watch on Centre Court and No.1 Court.
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