US Open entry list: Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune and Paula Badosa feature in huge boost for injury-stricken trio

The fourth and final Grand Slam tournament is on the horizon. The US Open will play host once more to the biggest talents in the sport, and it is set to receive a huge boost with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune and Paula Badosa all notable inclusions on the entry lists.

The event will kick off from August 31 - September 13 with more major glory on the line. The usual suspects and culprits will challenge for the title. World No.1 Jannik Sinner will hope to continue his rich vein of form following from the Wimbledon triumph recently secured.

He defended his title against Alexander Zverev who has cemented himself above the rest of the tour, but still behind the big two. The likes of Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe will hope to impress on home soil with Alex de Minaur, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Bublik, Flavio Cobolli and Casper Ruud among the contenders who eye a deep run at Flushing Meadows.

In the women's draw, reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka targets a hat-trick of US Open titles on the spin. Last year's runner-up Amanda Anisimova is under pressure to perform while Iga Swiatek continues to struggle.

World No.2 Elena Rybakina is hopeful of re-kindling that form she showcased at the start of the year with Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula coming off positive Wimbledon runs. Mirra Andreeva is in the hunt for a second Grand Slam title of 2026 while Elina Svitolina, Marta Kostyuk, Karolina Muchova and Wimbledon winner Linda Noskova fancy their chances to lift the ultimate prize.

A number of recognisable players may not feature in the US Open 2026 for whatever reasons, ranging from injuries to suspensions to ranking being too low.

Alcaraz will most certainly not suffer from any ranking issue, but an injured wrist has left fans questioning when he will return. The Canadian Open has come too soon for him, but his name has appeared on the entry list for the competition in New York.

Now bumped down to third in the world, a possible semi-final against his rival Sinner is on the cards depending on how quickly he can get back up to speed. Following his withdrawal from the Barcelona Open, he has not stepped on court since, missing the rest of the clay swing and the entirety of the grass season in a bitter pill to swallow.

He returns as the defending champion following his marvellous display throughout the tournament, defeating Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals before taking down Sinner in an ominous fashion as he won a sixth Grand Slam and his second in North America. Now up to seven following success Down Under, an eighth major title for the 23-year-old may not be too far away depending on fitness.

While not as big of a contender, Rune's glittering potential for the time being has been shattered thanks to that really nasty achilles injury picked up last October.

Following his latest update, things seem to be ticking along well for the Dane who has stepped up his recovery and looks closer to a return to the action. Ranked 80th on the entry list, he is still firmly in the top 104 needed to be in to automatically gain entry into the main draw. There are questions whether this is too soon for him to make a return amid the severity of that injury in Stockholm, but his name is there nevertheless.

On the women's side, Paula Badosa is a notable inclusion following her recent form that has blasted her back into the top 100. Injuries and a lack of consistency saw her plummet down the rankings and out of sight.

However, a return to form at the right time on clay is hugely important. A title in the WTA 125 tournament in Bastad without dropping a set was a promising sign, backed up by a run to the final of the Iasi Open where illness forced her to retire a set and double break down.

She seemed reliant on a wildcard for the tournament or to find a way through qualifying, but that is no longer the case. Slotted in 93rd, she is certain for another appearance in the US Open.

The likes of Lois Boisson, Irina-Camelia Begu, Aoi Ito, Jil Teichmann, Mananchaya Sawangkaew, Juncheng Shang, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Filip Misolic use protected rankings or special rankings to get into the event.