Title winners
Elena Rybakina's best season of her career continued with an astonishing two weeks at the US Open, defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the final to clinch her second Grand Slam title of 2026 and her third overall.
The ice-cool 27-year-old played some truly scintillating tennis during the fortnight, defeating the likes of four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, comeback queen Qinwen Zheng and home favourite Coco Gauff en route to the final.
In the final, she was simply irresistible. She was the dominant player throughout, with her blistering serve and groundstrokes constantly putting a very frustrated Sabalenka on the back foot - something she is very rarely used to. She even celebrated the win with unusual excitement - she lifted both arms into the air!
What makes her victory even more remarkable was that before the tournament, there were doubts she would even take to the court after suffering what appeared to be a serious foot injury.
Rybakina even admitted that she didn't train during the build-up and 'couldn't even walk for the next few days without pain'.
After defeating Sabalenka in the Australian Open final at the start of the year, Rybakina has capped off the Grand Slam season with another triumph, but this one comes with an added prize.
The Kazakh has now firmly cemented herself as the world's best player, climbing to number one in the rankings for the first time in her career. She is the second-oldest woman to become world number one after Angelique Kerber.
Rybakina is well poised to end the year as number one, and it has been a truly wonderful 2026 for her. When she is at her top level, no one can live with her.
Meanwhile, for Sabalenka, she has failed to win a major this year for the first time since 2022, losing her top ranking in the process. By her unbelievably high standards, it has been a disappointing season, and she now holds a 4-5 record in Grand Slam finals, suggesting that she has a bit of an issue in big matches.
On the men's side of the tournament, Alexander Zverev's very own stellar year continued as he captured his second Grand Slam of 2026 - and his career - defeating Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2.
Much like at Roland Garros a few months ago, Zverev capitalised on a draw that was without either Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz, as well as the other getting knocked out early, surging to the title. Once seen as the best player never to win a Grand Slam title, he has now picked up two in quick succession, and his career has an awfully different look to it now.
The German started the tournament in extremely sluggish fashion, battling to five-set victories in the early hours of the morning in his opening two rounds. However, he began to find his form during the fortnight, seeing off the likes of Botic van de Zandschulp and Karen Khachanov.
Zverev produced a tactical masterclass in the final against Shelton, taking pace off the ball and prolonging rallies, while the American could barely get a look in on his opponent's serve.
He also showcased his superior experience and improved mental resilience. After losing the third set, he could have gone into his shell, but decided to be brave and wrestled control of the contest.
He was so in the zone that he didn't even realise he had won the match!
Zverev has claimed two of the four Grand Slams this season - more than both Sinner and Alcaraz. He also leads the ATP Race to Turin, and like Rybakina, has a real chance to end the year as world number one. Imagine saying that at the start of the year!
Shelton was mightily disappointed after losing his first Grand Slam final, but he has plenty to be proud of following a superb run, which included a stunning quarter-final victory over defending champion Alcaraz. That match finished at 3:33am - the latest in US Open history.
Biggest strugglers
It was a really disappointing and emotional US Open for four-time champion Novak Djokovic, as he fell in the first round to Mariano Navone, 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-4, 2-6, 1-6. The Serb was nowhere near his best, and his physical struggles were evident; he even began to tear up at the end of the contest.
Father Time is unbeaten, and it seems to finally be catching up with tennis' very own Superman. His body is starting to let him down.
Cincinnati champion Arthur Fils - who many tipped for a good run in New York - was also dumped out in the first round, losing 6-4, 6-7(3), 1-6, 4-6 to former world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The talented Frenchman was extremely poor in the final two sets as he unravelled, showing that he still has plenty of work to do.
Another young star, Rafa Jodar, looked to be running on fumes in the first round, as he was utterly crushed by Yunchaokete Bu, 2-6, 1-6, 1-6.
It has been an incredibly non-stop few months for the 19-year-old Spaniard, and it seems all that tennis is taking a toll.
Last year's runner-up on the women's side of the tournament, Amanda Anisimova, suffered a 2-6, 5-7 third-round defeat to Anastasia Potapova, as she struggles to recapture the form that saw her reach the final in New York and Wimbledon in 2025.
As a result, she dropped outside the world's top 10, now sitting at number 11.
Standout moment
One of the stories of the US Open was the resurgence of Zheng. The former world number four and Australian Open finalist, as well as the current Olympic champion, Zheng has endured a torrid 18 months following a serious elbow injury.
Ranked 121st ahead of the tournament, the Chinese star had to come through qualifying to get into the tournament, and she certainly made the most of her opportunity.
Zheng showed signs she may be back to her best, winning seven consecutive matches to get to the quarter-finals, including scintillating victories over Grand Slam champions Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek.
What made her wins over those two special was the fact that she was 0-5 down in the deciding set against Keys, and also trailing by the same score in the opening set against Swiatek. However, the comeback queen showed her resilience to reel off seven straight games on both occasions.
In the end, Zheng fell at the hands of Rybakina in the last eight, but not before taking the first set and giving the Kazakh a real scare.
After her run, Zheng moved all the way up to 52nd in the world, and there is little doubt that if she continues playing in the same vein as she did in New York, she will be climbing a lot higher in the future. She is a fantastic player and personality to have at the top of women's tennis.
Best rallies
There were many stunning points at the US Open, but we have narrowed it down to three. The always-entertaining Flavio Cobolli produced an between-the-legs lob, Alcaraz and Shelton displayed their freakish athleticism, while Frances Tiafoe got the better of his fellow American after a jaw-dropping rally.
Upcoming events
There are actually no events on the ATP Tour this week, with a focus on the second round of the Davis Cup Qualifiers. Seven ties to look forward to around the globe, with the winners joining defending champions Italy in the Final 8 in Bologna in November.
The big names currently involved (barring any late withdrawals) include Zverev for Germany, Shelton and Taylor Fritz for the United States, Felix Auger-Aliassime for Canada, Fils for France and Jodar for Spain.
On the WTA Tour, there are two events taking place: a WTA 500 tournament in Guadalajara and a WTA 250 competition in Sao Paolo.
Roland Garros and Wimbledon semi-finalist Marta Kostyuk is the top seed in Mexico, while reigning champion Iva Jovic and Sara Bejlek are the second and third seeds.
Over in Brazil, Leylah Fernandez and Paula Badosa headline proceedings.
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