The 2026 US Open champions are Alexander Zverev and Elena Rybakina, with Zverev beating Ben Shelton and Rybakina defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the singles finals.
US Open Tennis 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | 2026 US Open |
|---|---|
| Tournament | US Open Tennis Championships |
| Year | 2026 |
| Location | New York City, USA |
| Venue | USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center |
| Surface | Hard court |
| Tournament dates | August 23–September 13, 2026 |
| Singles main draw | August 30–September 13 |
| Women’s singles champion | Elena Rybakina |
| Men’s singles champion | Alexander Zverev |
| Women’s final | Rybakina def. Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 |
| Men’s final | Zverev def. Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 |
| Singles champion prize | $5.5 million |
| Total player compensation | $108 million |
The 2026 US Open has now concluded after three weeks of competition at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. The tournament ran from August 23 through September 13, with the singles main draw beginning August 30.
The biggest headline came from the singles finals: Alexander Zverev won his first US Open title and second Grand Slam of 2026, while Elena Rybakina defeated two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to win the women’s title.
What Is the US Open Tennis Tournament?
The US Open is one of tennis’s four Grand Slam tournaments, alongside the Australian Open, Roland-Garros and Wimbledon.
But the US Open has a personality of its own.
Played in New York during the final part of summer, it combines elite tennis with the noise, speed and energy of one of the world’s most famous cities.
The tournament is held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, with Arthur Ashe Stadium serving as its centerpiece.
The event began in 1881 as the U.S. National Championships and evolved through different locations and surfaces before becoming the hard-court Grand Slam known today.
When Was the US Open 2026?
The overall 2026 US Open ran from August 23 through September 13.
For singles fans, the key dates were:
- August 30: Men’s and women’s singles main draw began
- September 12: Women’s singles final
- September 13: Men’s singles final
- September 13: 2026 US Open officially concluded
The tournament is now complete, meaning the 2026 singles champions are no longer predictions they are confirmed.
Who Won the US Open 2026?
Men’s Singles Champion: Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev won the 2026 US Open men’s singles title, defeating American eighth seed Ben Shelton:
Zverev def. Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2
The victory gave Zverev his second Grand Slam title of 2026, following his French Open triumph earlier in the season. It also completed a major piece of unfinished business after his painful loss in the 2020 US Open final.
Zverev entered the tournament as the top seed and finished the year-end New York story as a Grand Slam champion.
Women’s Singles Champion: Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina won the 2026 US Open women’s singles title, defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka:
Rybakina def. Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2
The victory gave Rybakina another major title after her Australian Open success earlier in 2026. She also entered the US Open final having taken the world No. 1 ranking from Sabalenka.
Where Is the US Open Played?
The US Open is held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.
The complex contains numerous competition and practice courts, but three venues are particularly important.
Arthur Ashe Stadium
Arthur Ashe Stadium is the largest stadium at the US Open and the traditional home of the biggest matches.
It also features a retractable roof, helping the tournament manage difficult weather conditions while maintaining the famous New York atmosphere.
The 2026 men’s and women’s singles finals were both played here.
Louis Armstrong Stadium
Louis Armstrong Stadium is the second major stadium at the National Tennis Center and regularly hosts important singles matches throughout the tournament.
The Outside Courts
The outside courts are part of what makes attending the US Open different from watching a Grand Slam exclusively on television.
Fans can get much closer to players during early-round matches and discover future stars before they reach the biggest stadiums.
US Open 2026 Schedule
The tournament followed a three-week structure.
| Stage | 2026 Timing |
|---|---|
| Qualifying | August 23–27 |
| Main draw begins | August 30 |
| First week | August 30–September 5 |
| Second week | September 6–12 |
| Women’s singles final | September 12 |
| Men’s singles final | September 13 |
The singles championships concluded on September 13 with Zverev’s men’s final victory.
How Did Alexander Zverev Win the 2026 US Open?
Zverev’s championship run was especially impressive because his tournament began with difficult matches.
He survived a five-set battle against Lorenzo Sonego in the opening round before gradually finding a higher level as the tournament progressed.
By the semifinal stage, Zverev had become increasingly efficient.
He defeated Karen Khachanov in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6(7), 7-6(6), to reach the final.
In the final, Shelton pushed him hard enough to take the third set, but Zverev responded in the fourth.
The German eventually closed out the championship 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2.
The victory was especially meaningful because Zverev had previously lost the 2020 US Open final after being two sets ahead against Dominic Thiem. Six years later, he finally lifted the trophy in New York.
How Did Elena Rybakina Win the Women’s US Open?
Rybakina’s championship run ended a remarkable US Open storyline.
She entered the final against Aryna Sabalenka, who had won the previous two women’s singles titles in New York.
Rybakina won the first set 6-4, Sabalenka fought back to take the second 7-5, but Rybakina regained control in the deciding set.
She won the third 6-2 to capture the title.
The victory also followed a major ranking development: Rybakina was set to debut at world No. 1 after taking the top position from Sabalenka.
2026 US Open Men’s Final
| Player | Result |
|---|---|
| Alexander Zverev | Champion |
| Ben Shelton | Runner-up |
| Final score | 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 |
Shelton’s run was historic even though he fell short in the final.
He defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals and then Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals before reaching his first Grand Slam final.
Against Zverev, Shelton won the third set and briefly changed the momentum, but Zverev remained composed and finished the match in four sets.
2026 US Open Women’s Final
| Player | Result |
|---|---|
| Elena Rybakina | Champion |
| Aryna Sabalenka | Runner-up |
| Final score | 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 |
Rybakina’s victory stopped Sabalenka’s attempt to win three consecutive US Open titles.
Sabalenka had reached the final after defeating Jessica Pegula, while Rybakina overcame Coco Gauff in the semifinals.
US Open 2026 Prize Money
Money was one of the major stories surrounding the 2026 tournament.
The US Open announced a record $108 million player-compensation package, the largest in tennis history at the time.
The men’s and women’s singles champions each received $5.5 million, the highest singles champion prize in tennis.
| Singles Result | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| Champion | $5,500,000 |
| Runner-up | $2,800,000 |
| Semifinalist | $1,450,000 |
| Quarterfinalist | $780,000 |
The financial impact extends beyond the champion. Grand Slam earnings can be particularly important for players outside the top tier because they help fund coaching, travel, training and future competition.
What Made the US Open 2026 Special?
Zverev Finally Conquered New York
Zverev had already built an elite résumé before 2026, but the US Open had been one of his biggest unfinished stories.
His 2020 final defeat remained a painful memory.
The 2026 victory changed that narrative.
Rybakina Ended Sabalenka’s Three-Peat Bid
Sabalenka arrived as the two-time defending champion and had the opportunity to win three straight US Open titles.
Rybakina stopped that run in the final.
New Grand Slam Champions Continued to Emerge
The 2026 tournament once again showed that Grand Slam tennis can produce career-changing moments.
Players such as Ben Shelton demonstrated that the next generation is capable of pushing established champions deep into major tournaments.
New York Delivered Its Signature Atmosphere
Night sessions, packed stadiums, loud crowds and hard-court tennis combined to produce the atmosphere that makes the US Open unique.
US Open 2026 Players to Watch: Who Stood Out?
Rather than one dominant storyline, the tournament produced several.
Alexander Zverev
The biggest men’s story was Zverev’s transformation from a former Grand Slam finalist into a two-time major champion.
His 2026 season now includes both the French Open and US Open titles.
Ben Shelton
Shelton emerged as one of the biggest American stories of the tournament.
His victory over Alcaraz and subsequent run to the final showed how dangerous his game can be on the biggest stage.
Elena Rybakina
Rybakina finished the tournament as US Open champion and world No. 1.
Her combination of elite serving and powerful baseline tennis made her extremely difficult to contain.
Aryna Sabalenka
Despite losing the final, Sabalenka remained one of the defining players of the tournament after reaching her fourth consecutive US Open final.
How to Watch the US Open 2026
The 2026 tournament has now finished, so live matches are no longer being played.
Fans can still follow:
- Final results
- Match highlights
- Player statistics
- Draw history
- Championship videos
- Interviews
- Tournament news
Official US Open coverage remains the best source for tournament results and historical information.
For viewers outside the United States, broadcasting rights vary by country and streaming availability can change from season to season.
Can You Attend the US Open?
Yes, fans can attend the US Open in New York, although the 2026 tournament has now concluded.
The event is held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where spectators can watch matches inside the major stadiums or explore the outside courts.
For future editions, checking the official schedule before buying tickets is important because court assignments and session details can change.
FAQs
Who won the US Open 2026 men’s singles title?
Alexander Zverev won the men’s singles title, defeating Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2.
Who won the US Open 2026 women’s singles title?
Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to win the women’s singles championship.
When was the US Open 2026?
The overall tournament ran from August 23 to September 13, 2026, with the singles main draw beginning August 30.
Where is the US Open played?
The US Open is played at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.
What surface is the US Open played on?
The US Open is played on hard courts.
How much did the 2026 US Open singles champion earn?
The men’s and women’s singles champions each earned $5.5 million.
What was the total 2026 US Open player compensation?
The tournament offered a record $108 million player-compensation package.
Who did Alexander Zverev beat in the 2026 US Open final?
Zverev defeated American Ben Shelton in four sets: 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2.
Who did Elena Rybakina beat in the 2026 US Open final?
Rybakina defeated defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in three sets: 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.
Who were the 2026 US Open men’s and women’s champions?
Alexander Zverev won the men’s title, while Elena Rybakina won the women’s title.
Final Thoughts
The US Open 2026 is now complete, and it delivered exactly what makes a Grand Slam memorable: pressure, comebacks, breakthrough performances and championship moments.
Alexander Zverev finally conquered the tournament that had haunted him since his 2020 final defeat, winning his second Grand Slam of the year.
Elena Rybakina stopped Aryna Sabalenka’s attempt at a three-peat and finished her New York campaign as both US Open champion and world No. 1.
With a record $108 million player-compensation package, $5.5 million singles champion prizes and a dramatic final week at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 2026 US Open added another memorable chapter to Grand Slam history.
The tournament is over but its biggest stories will carry into the rest of the 2026 tennis season.
