Coco Gauff Named Top Seed for 2026 US Open as Field Takes Shape

Coco Gauff is the No. 4 seed and a defending champion at the 2026 US Open, which begins August 30 in New York.

Who’s in the women’s field?

The women’s singles entry list for the 2026 US Open dropped Tuesday, and Coco Gauff headlines the star-studded lineup. Gauff, the 2023 champion, sits at No. 4 in the world rankings. Two-time U.S. Open winner Aryna Sabalenka (2024, 2025) is the top seed, chasing a historic three-peat. Elena Rybakina, the reigning Australian Open champion, is No. 2, while Jessica Pegula-last year’s finalist-is No. 3. The field includes 11 former Grand Slam singles champions, including 10 former U.S. Open winners.

What’s at stake for Gauff?

Gauff’s path to a second title starts August 30. She’ll face a deep field of contenders, including Pegula and Sabalenka, both chasing their own milestones. The American women lead the U.S. contingent with 14 direct entries, with Gauff, Pegula, and Amanda Anisimova as the top trio. The tournament runs August 23-September 13, with the singles main draws kicking off the final weekend of August.

Who else is in the hunt?

The men’s side features a stacked field, too. Carlos Alcaraz headlines despite missing the last three months with a wrist injury. Novak Djokovic, chasing a record 25th Grand Slam, is also in the draw. Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev round out the top four. On the U.S. side, Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz lead the men’s field, while Gauff, Pegula, and Anisimova anchor the women’s side.

How did the entry list shape up?

The lists were finalized based on the July 20 rankings, with cutoffs at No. 102 for the women and No. 101 for the men. Eight players used protected or special rankings to gain entry, including Lois Boisson (No. 38) and Irina-Camelia Begu (No. 82). The U.S. leads all nations with 28 direct entries-14 men and 14 women-highlighting the depth of American talent heading into the final Slam of the season.