A former collegiate player has not won a grand slam since John McEnroe secured the US Open title in 1984. Could this be the year we witness a return to ultimate glory for a college tennis alum?
Jannik Sinner is out with a knee injury. Carlos Alcaraz makes his return from a wrist injury, but has not competed since April 17. Novak Djokovic’s quest for a 25th grand slam title seems to be on life support. On the women’s side, we’ve seen deep runs from former college athletes. There is an opening for the right player to take advantage.
Can No. 8 seed Ben Shelton take advantage of an open field?
The 2022 NCAA men’s singles champion has the sixth-highest odds to win the US Open according to DraftKings sportsbook, alongside fellow former collegiate player Rafael Jodar. Both are predicted to have a 6% chance of winning the title.
For Shelton, the former Florida Gator has had great success in August, defending his Canadian Open with a victory in the tournament final versus former Cavalier Brandon Nakashima.
Shelton has reached the third round of the US Open in the last three years, with a career best performance in 2023 where he reached the semifinals, where he lost in straight sets to Djokovic.
Opening match: Monday, Aug. 31 – 7 p.m. Arthur Ashe Stadium vs. Tallon Griekspoor
How will Diana Schnaider end the grand slam calendar after her breakthrough at the French Open?
Since taking down World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in that windy quarterfinal match at the French Open, former Wolfpacker Diana Shnaider has performed decently apart from an early exit in the second round at Wimbledon. Keep an eye on the Russian who reached the US Open fourth round in 2024. Her odds of winning according to various sportsbooks sit at roughly 70 to 1.
Opening match: Monday, Aug. 31 – 12:40 p.m. Court 7 vs. Daria Snigur
Rafael Jodar looks to continue red-hot start to pro career
The 2025 ACC freshman of the year’s decision to go pro has been a very lucrative one. In 2026, Jodar has already earned $2.5 million in prize money with good results in his first four majors — reaching the second round in Melbourne, the quarterfinals in Paris and the third round in London.
How will the 2024 Junior US Open boys winner perform?
Opening Match: Tuesday, Sept. 1 – TBD vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis
Will we see a deep run from one of the US Open Collegiate Wildcard recipients?
Former Tar Heel Reese Brantmeier and former Longhorn Sebastian Gorzny claimed their respective American collegiate player wildcards after good showings at the American Collegiate Player Wildcard Playoff (ACPWP).Both Gorzny and Brantmeier were four year players and members of a national championship-winning team, albeit Gorzny’s ring came at TCU. Brantmeier also won the 2025 NCAA singles title.
Brantmeier competed in the US Open doubles draw last year with partner Alanis Hamilton reaching the second round with a win over Kristina Penickova / Thea Frodin.
Opening match:
Brantmeier: Tuesday, Sept. 1 – TBD vs. Oleksandra Oliynykova
Gorzny: Sunday, Aug. 30 – 4:10 p.m. vs. Raphael Collignion
Other Storylines:
- How deep can ‘24/’25 singles champion Michael Zheng go to finish his breakout pro season?
-2026 AO – Second Round
-2026 FO – First Round
-2026 W – Third Round
-2026 US – ?
- What will we see from other former Cavaliers Emma Navarro and Brandon Nakashima?
- Arthur Fery looks to follow up Wimbledon semi-final appearance despite short turnaround after making Winston-Salem Open final
- Virginia Commit Jack Kennedy makes his US Open main draw debut
