US Open 2024: Your Ultimate Sky Sports Schedule, TV & Winners Guide
US Open 2026: Your Complete Beginner’s Guide to the Final Grand Slam of the Year
Quick Summary: The US Open runs August 30 – September 13, 2026 at Flushing Meadows, New York. Watch exclusively on Sky Sports Tennis. Big names like Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner are playing. Emma Raducanu is out injured, Jack Draper may need to qualify, and Serena Williams might return at age 44!
When Is the US Open 2026?
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Mixed Doubles (New This Year!) | August 24–26 |
| Qualifying Rounds | August 27–29 |
| Main Draw – First Round | August 30 – September 1 |
| Finals Weekend | September 12 (Women’s) & September 13 (Men’s) |
Session Times (UK/BST):
- Day sessions: 4:00 PM
- Evening sessions: Midnight
How to Watch on Sky Sports
Channels & Platforms
- Sky Sports Tennis – Channel 407 (main channel)
- Sky Sports+ – Extra courts & matches
- Sky Glass: Channel 410
- Sky Q: Channel 412
- Republic of Ireland: Channel 416
- Sky Sports App → "Watch" section → Event Centres for all streams
- NOW Sports Membership – No contract, Day or Month passes available
Extra Coverage
- Live text commentary on Sky Sports app/website
- Live scores, reports, analysis, features & videos
- Daily highlights across digital & social channels
What’s New & Exciting This Year?
Mixed Doubles Returns! (August 24–26)
For the first time in years, mixed doubles kicks off the tournament with star-studded pairs:
| Women’s Star | Men’s Star | Country Combo |
|---|---|---|
| Aryna Sabalenka | Novak Djokovic | + |
| Elena Rybakina | Taylor Fritz | + |
| Iga Świątek | Casper Ruud | + |
| Coco Gauff | (partner TBA) | + ? |
| Jessica Pegula | Jack Draper | + |
| Katie Boulter | Alex de Minaur | + |
| Naomi Osaka | Kei Nishikori | + |
| Venus Williams | Alexander Bublik | + |
Why this matters: Top singles players rarely play mixed doubles. Seeing Djokovic, Sabalenka, Alcaraz (if he enters), and others team up is rare and fun!
British Players to Watch
| Player | Status | Storyline |
|---|---|---|
| Emma Raducanu | NOT PLAYING | Stress fracture in right leg (missed Wimbledon too) |
| Jack Draper | May Need to Qualify | Dropped out of top 128 due to recurring left arm bone bruising |
| Cameron Norrie | Main Draw | Veteran presence |
| Arthur Fery | Main Draw Debut | Wimbledon semi-finalist as wildcard – ranking soared! |
| Katie Boulter | Playing Singles & Mixed | Paired with Alex de Minaur in mixed doubles |
Who Are the Favorites?
Men’s Draw
| Player | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jannik Sinner | World #1, defending champ (2024) | Won Wimbledon 2025, skipped Canada & Cincinnati |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 2022 & 2025 champ | Also skipped Canada & Cincinnati – historic risk! |
| Novak Djokovic | 4-time US Open champ | Chasing record 25th Grand Slam & 5th US Open title |
| Alexander Zverev | French Open 2025 winner | Lost to Sinner in Wimbledon final |
Wild Stat: Since 1990, no man has won the US Open without playing at least one of Canada or Cincinnati. Both Sinner & Alcaraz skipped both!
Women’s Draw
| Player | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aryna Sabalenka | World #1, 2-time defending champ (2024, 2025) | Going for 3-peat – last done by Serena (2012–14) |
| Iga Świątek | 2022 champion | Always a threat on hard courts |
| Coco Gauff | 2023 champion | Home crowd favorite |
| Elena Rybakina | Wimbledon 2022 champ | Big server, dangerous on fast courts |
Past Champions (Last 20 Years)
| Year | Men’s Champion | Women’s Champion |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Carlos Alcaraz | Aryna Sabalenka |
| 2024 | Jannik Sinner | Aryna Sabalenka |
| 2023 | Novak Djokovic | Coco Gauff |
| 2022 | Carlos Alcaraz | Iga Świątek |
| 2021 | Daniil Medvedev | Emma Raducanu |
| 2020 | Dominic Thiem | Naomi Osaka |
| 2019 | Rafael Nadal | Bianca Andreescu |
| 2018 | Novak Djokovic | Naomi Osaka |
| 2017 | Rafael Nadal | Sloane Stephens |
| 2016 | Stan Wawrinka | Angelique Kerber |
| 2015 | Novak Djokovic | Flavia Pennetta |
| 2014 | Marin Čilić | Serena Williams |
| 2013 | Rafael Nadal | Serena Williams |
| 2012 | Andy Murray | Serena Williams |
| 2011 | Novak Djokovic | Samantha Stosur |
| 2010 | Rafael Nadal | Kim Clijsters |
| 2009 | Juan Martín del Potro | Kim Clijsters |
| 2008 | Roger Federer | Serena Williams |
| 2007 | Roger Federer | Justine Henin |
| 2006 | Roger Federer | Maria Sharapova |
| 2005 | Roger Federer | Kim Clijsters |
Records:
- Men: Federer, Sampras, Connors = 5 titles each. Djokovic has 4 (tied with Nadal & McEnroe).
- Women: Serena Williams & Chris Evert = 6 titles. Graf = 5, Navratilova = 4.
Full Daily Schedule (Main Draw)
| Date | Round / Events |
|---|---|
| Sun Aug 30 | Men’s & Women’s 1st Round |
| Mon Aug 31 | Men’s & Women’s 1st Round |
| Tue Sep 1 | Men’s & Women’s 1st Round |
| Wed Sep 2 | Men’s & Women’s 2nd Round |
| Thu Sep 3 | Men’s & Women’s 2nd Round, Women’s Doubles 1R |
| Fri Sep 4 | Men’s & Women’s 3rd Round, Men’s & Women’s Doubles 1R |
| Sat Sep 5 | Men’s & Women’s 3rd Round, Doubles 2R/1R |
| Sun Sep 6 | Men’s & Women’s 4th Round, Doubles 2R |
| Mon Sep 7 | Men’s & Women’s 4th Round, Doubles 3R/2R |
| Tue Sep 8 | Quarterfinals (Singles), Doubles QF, Wheelchair QF |
| Wed Sep 9 | Quarterfinals (Singles), Doubles SF/QF, Wheelchair 1R |
| Thu Sep 10 | Women’s Semifinals, Men’s Doubles SF, Wheelchair QF/SF |
| Fri Sep 11 | Women’s Doubles Final, Men’s Semifinals, Wheelchair SF/F |
| Sat Sep 12 | Women’s Singles Final, Men’s Doubles Final, Wheelchair Finals |
| Sun Sep 13 | Men’s Singles Final |
Big Questions Answered
Is Emma Raducanu playing?
No. She has a stress fracture in her right leg from the grass season. Missed Wimbledon too. Frustrating 12 months with recurring injuries.
Does Jack Draper need to qualify?
Yes, likely. He dropped out of the top 128 due to recurring bone bruising in his left arm. Only played a handful of events in the last year. He is playing mixed doubles with Jessica Pegula though!
Is Serena Williams really coming back?
Maybe! The 44-year-old played Wimbledon 2026 (lost 1R, withdrew from doubles with knee issue). She might play Cincinnati as a wildcard to test the knee, then decide on US Open. If she plays – she’s the story of the tournament.
Can Sabalenka three-peat?
She’s the clear favorite. Only Serena (2012–14) has done it in the Open Era. Sabalenka loves New York – powerful game suits fast hard courts.
Why did Sinner & Alcaraz skip Canada & Cincinnati?
Unclear – possibly scheduling, minor niggles, or strategic rest. But history says it’s risky. No man since 1990 won US Open without playing at least one warm-up.
Important Callouts
KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Dates: Aug 30 – Sep 13, 2026
- Watch: Sky Sports Tennis (Ch. 407) + Sky Sports+ for all courts
- No contract? Get a NOW Sports Day/Month Pass
- Raducanu: OUT (injury)
- Draper: Likely QUALIFYING (ranking drop)
- Sabalenka: Chasing HISTORY (3 in a row)
- Serena: MAYBE (wildcard decision pending)
- Sinner/Alcaraz: Both SKIPPED warm-ups – unprecedented risk
Summary
The 2026 US Open is shaping up to be unmissable:
- Mixed doubles returns with dream teams (Djokovic/Sabalenka!)
- Brits: Norrie & Fery in main draw; Boulter in singles + mixed; Draper qualifying; Raducanu out
- Sabalenka vs history (3-peat); Sinner vs history (no warm-ups); Djokovic vs history (25th Slam)
- Serena Williams – the ultimate wildcard storyline
- All live on Sky Sports – multiple ways to watch
Mark your calendars: Finals weekend Sept 12–13. Set your alarms for 4 PM (day) / Midnight (night) BST.
FAQ – Your Top 5 Questions Answered
1. When exactly does the US Open 2026 start and end?
Main draw: Sunday August 30 → Sunday September 13. Mixed doubles & qualifying start earlier (Aug 24).
2. Can I watch for free?
Not legally for free in the UK. Sky Sports subscription or NOW Sports pass (Day/Month, no contract) required.
3. What time are matches in the UK?
Day session: 4:00 PM BST | Night session: Midnight BST. Plan your sleep!
4. Why is Jack Draper in qualifying?
He missed months with a left arm bone bruise, dropped out of the top 128 rankings (direct entry cutoff). Must win 3 qualifying matches to reach main draw.
5. Is this Serena Williams’ last tournament?
Possibly! She’s 44, managing knee issues. If she plays US Open, it could be a farewell – or a shock run. Either way, don’t miss it if she’s in the draw.
Ready for Flushing Meadows? Grab your NOW pass or Sky remote – the final Grand Slam of 2026 starts August 30!