SerpApi.Org
Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Wimbledon title-holder Jannik Sinner headline the draw for the U.S. Open, which gets underway next month.
The U.S. Tennis Association revealed the direct entry lists Tuesday for the season's final Grand Slam tournament. Using the July 20 rankings from both the WTA and ATP Tours, the cutoff was set at No. 102 for the women and No. 101 for the men.
Sabalenka, who sits atop the women's rankings, will arrive at Flushing Meadows with her sights set on becoming the first woman to claim three consecutive U.S. Open titles since Serena Williams achieved the feat from 2012-14.
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Sinner will be gunning to reclaim the title that Carlos Alcaraz stripped from the 2024 champion when the pair faced off in last year's final. The top-ranked Italian arrives fresh off his fifth major championship, having defeated French Open champion Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final.
Alcaraz, sidelined for the last two majors due to a wrist injury but expected to return during the North American hard-court swing, is ranked No. 3 and has been entered in the draw.
The U.S. led all nations with 14 men and 14 women earning direct entry. No. 102 Anastasia Zakharova was the final woman to make the cut, while Filip Misolic, utilizing a protected ranking at No. 101, rounded out the men's field.
Misolic was among eight players - five women and three men - to compete using a special or protected ranking.
The remaining spots in the 128-player field will be determined through wild cards awarded by the USTA - Williams would be anticipated to receive one if fit and intending to compete after the 44-year-old made her comeback to tennis but suffered a knee injury during a first-round defeat at Wimbledon - and qualifying rounds held the week prior to the main draw commencing on Sunday, Aug. 30.
Emma Raducanu also looks set to make her comeback from injury after being forced to miss Wimbledon.
But Victoria Mboko, who partnered Serena Williams for her tennis return, is the biggest name missing after she suffered a knee problem.
