There is a triumvirate of men who are penciled in to dominate the headlines at the 2025 US Open.
World No. 1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner, alongside former US Open champs Carlos Alcaraz (2022) and Novak Djokovic (2011, 2025, 2018 and 2023) are the three most recent names engraved on the trophies.
They are undoubtedly the favorites, joined as the talk of the town by the likes of 2021 winner Daniil Medvedev, the ever-improving Jack Draper and American all-stars such as Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz. It’s crowded at the top.
Away from this tour-leading talent, there is a plethora of players seeking a Grand Slam milestone or a breakout major by the end of action on September 7. There will be heroic upsets and modern-day classics along the way.
We’ve scanned the draw and picked out a few names eager to make a charge in New York.
Alexander Bublik
Only predict the unpredictable with the mercurial Alexander Bublik.
Back in March, the despondent Kazakh hit Las Vegas to “blow off steam” and after a few days of partying, he headed to an ATP Challenger tournament in Phoenix, Ariz., where he dispatched four Top 100 opponents as a runner-up to Joao Fonseca.
Since then, Bublik has blazed into a maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal at Roland Garros, where he swept aside elite stars such as Alex de Minaur (from two sets down) and Draper. World No. 1 Sinner ended his Parisian dream in the Elite 8, but Bublik gained revenge on the grass of Halle, Germany, en route to lifting the trophy there.
New York has never seen the best of Bublik. On the flip side, 2025 has been a true reset for the 28-year-old fan-favorite. Underarm serves, shots not seen in any textbook—the Bublik show could serve up an extended stay this fortnight.
Tournament outlook: If Bublik can surpass the Grand Slam know-how of 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic, then all eyes will be on a fourth-round rematch with a certain Sinner.
Flavio Cobolli
Italy’s rich reserves of talent across the board means the emergence of Flavio Cobolli has been somewhat overshadowed. Not now.
The 23-year-old has cracked the Top 20 this year, highlighted by a compelling run to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. Masked by his cheeky grin, make no mistake, Cobolli is a fierce competitor and took the opening set off Djokovic during a four-set defeat by the all-conquering Serb on Wimbledon’s cherished Centre Court.
Cobolli loves to bring a crowd to life, engages with fans and is brave transitioning to the net—it’s abundantly clear the New Yorkers will love him and his swagger.
Tournament outlook: A third-round encounter with fellow flamboyant Italian Lorenzo Musetti would be sure to cause a stir.
Jakub Mensik
Think of winners on the American hard courts this season and Jakub Mensik’s triumph at the Miami Masters 1000 was mighty impressive.
The teenager, now up to world No. 16, nearly pulled out with injury (the tournament referee was on lunch when he tried). Instead Mensik gave it a go. Five head-turning wins included big victories over Fritz and Draper, but nothing came close to the 19-year-old’s composure and lethal striking in the final.
His childhood idol Djokovic was chasing his milestone 100th tour-level title, sporting icons such as Lionel Messi were in the stands watching. Mensik rose to the occasion in a clutch 7-6(4), 7-6(4) thriller. Can he repeat his Miami magic in the Big Apple?
Tournament outlook: In the past two seasons, Mensik has managed to book a third-round ticket at the US Open. The teenager’s past 12 months indicate the Czech could go much further, especially in his favorite city on tour.
The draw hasn’t been kind with Chile’s resurgent Nicolas Jarry unleashing plenty of firepower. A third-round battle with Fonseca would be explosive, as would a fourth round facing Team USA’s talisman Fritz.
Joao Fonseca
Crowds snake in lines around the grounds of tournaments, with yellow and green the key color of the palette. Why? Joao Fonseca is in town.
The Brazilian breakout star qualified for his major debut at the Australian Open and swatted aside the No. 9 seed Andrey Rublev in straight sets. Talk about an impact. Over to Miami in March, the 19-year-old prevailed past Learner Tien and Ugo Humbert, before pushing No. 10 seed de Minaur in an electric three-set bout. A third round showing also came at Roland Garros.
Neither the stage, nor the occasion, fazes Fonseca.
His crunching forehand has to be seen and heard to be believed, and Fonseca has the X-factor, frequently cajoling his ardent fans into voice. Go check him out during this year's US Open for sure.
Tournament outlook: World No. 45 Miomir Kecmanovic presents the opening challenge, a stern examination for any player. Should Fonseca gain a couple of wins, the 19-year-old has the artillery (and Samba support) to gain momentum and trouble the very elite.
Holger Rune
Rewind to 2022 and Holger Rune was a Masters 1000 champion in Paris and had made a Top 10 debut. A couple of testing years have followed with form fluctuating for the former junior world No. 1.
Turning the page, 2025 has delivered plenty of encouraging results. Take the fourth round at the Australian Open, where he took a set off eventual champion Sinner, his run to the final at Indian Wells, or a victory over Alcaraz to lift the giant Barcelona trophy.
Rune recently worked with tennis icon Andre Agassi. Surely the two-time US Open champion’s wisdom will boost the dynamic Dane in New York?
Tournament outlook: 2021 US Open quarterfinalist Botic van De Zandschulp is a tough task to open any tournament. Rune has to be in the groove from the get-go. Frances Tiafoe is a possible third-round opponent, while Djokovic is likely to lie in the Round of 16. A call to Agassi and Rune could be in some shape by then.
