Sinner’s withdrawal with a right knee injury has reshaped the men’s draw at the 2026 US Open, elevating Zverev to the top seed and creating wider paths for multiple contenders to reach the semifinals. Alcaraz returns as defending champion after more than four months sidelined by a right wrist injury, bringing high upside but uncertain match fitness on the hard courts. Zverev arrives with strong recent Grand Slam momentum, including a Roland Garros title and Wimbledon final appearance, while Djokovic’s experience and five prior US Open titles keep him competitive despite his age. Home players Shelton and Fritz benefit from crowd support and recent form, and Medvedev’s proven New York record adds another layer. The field remains wide open heading into the August 30 main draw start.