The official US Open entry list has been released, and several high-profile names have initially missed out on direct entry into the main draw. With the tournament yet to announce its wildcard recipients, some of those players could still receive a late invitation, although those spots are typically reserved for emerging talents or local players.

Several Grand Slam champions, former top-10 stars and established names will have to wait or fight through qualifying. One of the biggest surprises is former world No. 4 Jack Draper, whose ranking has recently dropped to around No. 150 after another injury setback, costing him a direct place at Flushing Meadows. Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka and former world No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov are also among the notable absentees on the men's side.

On the women's side, Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen headlines the list after her recent slide down the rankings. The Chinese star still had a chance to secure direct entry with a deep run at the Athens Open, but her early exit means she is now set to begin in qualifying. Former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu and former Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin also sit outside the main draw, unless they receive a late wildcard.

One of the most surprising names among the alternates is Marketa Vondrousova. The former Wimbledon champion is currently serving a four-year suspension from official tournaments, yet still appears on the alternate list due to her protected ranking position within the WTA system.

The former Indian Wells champion is currently trying to rebuild his career after another injury forced him to withdraw from Wimbledon. Months away from competition have taken a heavy toll on the Brit, whose career has been plagued by physical setbacks ever since Wimbledon 2025. Draper recently accepted a Challenger wildcard in an attempt to regain confidence, match rhythm and valuable ranking points.

The 2024 US Open semifinalist is, for now, heading to qualifying, where he would need to win three consecutive matches just to reach the main draw. A late wildcard cannot be ruled out for the 24-year-old, although there are several other high-profile candidates who may currently have stronger claims for one of the tournament's invitations.

Wawrinka could be preparing for what may become his final Grand Slam appearance before retirement. Although the Swiss has repeatedly stated his goal is to finish his career inside the top 100, results have not quite matched those ambitions so far. He remains one of the highest-ranked alternates and, if forced into qualifying, would likely receive a seeded position, giving him a slightly more favorable path.

Considering both his retirement plans and his history in New York, however, Wawrinka appears to be one of the strongest wildcard candidates. The 2016 US Open champion owns his best Grand Slam record at Flushing Meadows, posting a 46-16 record (74%), lifting the trophy a decade ago and reaching two additional semifinals.

Grigor Dimitrov proved he still has plenty left in the tank during his most recent Wimbledon campaign, reaching the fourth round despite spending much of the past year sidelined through injury. After missing the 2025 US Open, the Bulgarian is attempting to climb back up the rankings, although his lengthy absence has significantly impacted his position.

Even at 35 years old, Dimitrov continues to show he can compete with the best, particularly after an impressive run at SW19 that included victories over world No. 15 Jakub Mensik and former Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini. If he is unable to secure a wildcard, qualifying will be his only route back into the US Open main draw.

Just two years ago, Alexei Popyrin was enjoying the best tennis of his career. The Australian stunned the field to win the Canadian Open—one of the most unexpected Masters 1000 champions in recent years—and later shocked defending champion Novak Djokovic in the third round of the US Open.

Popyrin currently sits third among the alternates, meaning withdrawals could still open the door to direct entry. Otherwise, the 26-year-old is expected to contest qualifying as he attempts to return to the main draw in New York. A wildcard appears highly unlikely given the number of bigger names also waiting outside the cut.

The towering American has struggled for consistency throughout the season. Injuries forced him to miss several tournaments, while his recent form has been particularly disappointing. After three straight defeats during the clay swing and no appearances on grass, Opelka has nevertheless managed to remain inside the top 150.

He has not won a match since reaching the third round of the Miami Open back in March and arrives on a four-match losing streak. As one of the better-known American names outside the main draw, a late wildcard remains a possibility. Otherwise, his immediate schedule includes qualifying at the DC Open and the Lexington Challenger as the 28-year-old looks to rebuild both confidence and ranking points ahead of the US Open.

The 2019 US Open champion produced one of the most memorable title runs in recent women's tennis at Flushing Meadows, but injuries have prevented her from building on that success. At 26, the Canadian still shows flashes of the talent that once took her to the top of the game whenever she is physically healthy, although constant setbacks have severely impacted her ranking. Earlier this year, she came through qualifying at Wimbledon 2026, returning to a Grand Slam main draw for the first time in two years.

Back in 2024, Andreescu received a wildcard before retiring injured during the tournament. Last year, she appeared on the alternate list but suffered another unfortunate injury during the Canadian Open in the weeks leading up to the US Open, ruling her out altogether. While it remains unclear whether she would have received a wildcard a year ago, the former champion could be among the favorites to earn one this time after showing encouraging signs in recent months.

Perhaps it is no longer a major surprise to see Sofia Kenin outside the US Open main draw after spending several years away from the spotlight. However, her recent run of results ultimately pushed her outside the top 100. Earlier this season she endured an eight-match losing streak before finally returning to the winner's circle, and her overall record in 2026 stands at a disappointing five wins from 22 matches.

The 2020 Australian Open champion currently sits seventh among the alternates, and a series of withdrawals could still move her into the main draw. Otherwise, Kenin is expected to be one of the top seeds in qualifying, meaning she will need to begin her campaign a week early and win three consecutive matches. Interestingly, despite reaching two Grand Slam finals during her career, her best US Open result remains a fourth-round appearance in 2020, while she has managed just two victories across her next four appearances in New York.

Zheng Qinwen still controlled her own destiny until last week. The Olympic gold medallist needed to win the Athens Open to secure a place in the US Open main draw, but her hopes came to an end with a quarterfinal defeat to eventual champion Barbora Krejcikova.

Injuries have disrupted much of the past year for the Chinese star, but even when healthy she has struggled to rediscover her best level. Zheng has won just three of her last 10 matches, and her steady fall down the rankings has now left her outside the cut for the year's final Grand Slam.

The 2023 Wimbledon champion is currently serving a suspension after refusing to undergo an anti-doping test. Despite that, she still appears on the US Open alternate list because her ranking continues to be reflected in the official WTA standings, thanks largely to the points she earned during the closing stages of the 2025 season, including a run to the US Open quarterfinals before injury forced her to withdraw ahead of her scheduled match against Aryna Sabalenka.

Her appearance on the alternate list therefore comes as no surprise from a technical standpoint, even if she remains ineligible to compete. Unless there is an unexpected development in her ongoing appeal process, the 26-year-old will not be cleared to play qualifying and will miss the US Open, just as she is set to miss every Grand Slam throughout the 2026 season.

It has been a long time since former top-10 player Beatriz Haddad Maia looked close to her best. The Brazilian has spent much of the season competing at WTA 125 level simply to remain inside the top 150. She enters the US Open swing on an eight-match losing streak and owns a dismal 4-19 record in 2026. A year ago, she reached the fourth round in New York to ease some of the pressure during a difficult campaign, but this time she is set to begin from qualifying.

The US Open could prove crucial for Haddad Maia's ranking. If she fails to defend the points from last year's run at Flushing Meadows, the Brazilian faces an even steeper drop and could fall outside the top 250 once the tournament concludes.