Aryna Sabalenka Leads 2026 US Open Entry List as Top Seed

Aryna Sabalenka will enter the 2026 US Open as the top seed, leading the main-draw entry list released Tuesday. The Belarusian star, ranked World No. 1, is the two-time defending champion after winning back-to-back titles in New York in 2024 and 2025.

What does the entry list reveal?

Sabalenka is one of 29 of the top 30 players in the PIF WTA Rankings confirmed for the tournament. The only absence is Victoria Mboko, sidelined by a lower-body injury since Queen’s Club. The field includes all top 10 players, with Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, and Mirra Andreeva among the standout names.

Who are Sabalenka’s biggest rivals?

The top 10 also features Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova, All England Club champion Linda Noskova, and six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek. Amanda Anisimova, last year’s US Open finalist, and Elina Svitolina round out the elite group. Past champions Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu are also in the draw, while Bianca Andreescu will compete in qualifying.

What’s next for the US Open field?

The 128-player singles field will include 16 qualifiers and eight wild cards, to be announced later. The last direct entrant is World No. 102 Anastasia Zakhorova, with Ella Seidel, Elsa Jacquemot, and Anna Blinkova as alternates. Five players with protected rankings-Lois Boisson, Irina-Camelia Begu, Aoi Ito, Jil Teichmann, and Mananchaya Sawangkaew-are also in the main draw.

Seeding will be determined closer to the tournament’s start, with Sabalenka aiming for a historic third consecutive US Open title.