US Open Predictions, Odds and Picks for 2026: Alcaraz to Return to Action with New York Triumph?

Written By Gareth Hinton | Published at August 28, 2026
Carlos Alcaraz at 2026 Miami Open
Carlos Alcaraz at the 2026 Miami Open - Photo by IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The US Open officially gets underway this weekend, with two weeks of thrilling Grand Slam action ahead at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka head to New York City as the defending champions. Who will come out on top in the final Grand Slam tournament of 2026? Read on for our US Open predictions and picks.

US Open Prediction, Odds & Preview

Can Alcaraz Retain His Crown?

After a four-month injury layoff, Alcaraz is back and ready to fight for his US Open title. After his wrist injury, all eyes will be on the Spaniard in the Big Apple.

Despite being sidelined for several months, Alcaraz is right up there with the tournament favorites to win the trophy.

Before the Slam has got underway, BetMGM is offering +260 for the current world No. 3 to retain his US Open crown. The 23-year-old will be desperate to make up for lost time.

Alcaraz gets his tournament up and running with a first-round match against Roman Safiullin. As expected, the sensational Spaniard is the overwhelming favorite to start with a routine victory, priced at just -800 to come out on top.

Sabalenka the Favorite in the Women’s Event

Sabalenka is fancied to retain the trophy in the women’s section, with BetMGM offering +350.

Meanwhile, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek, who are likely to be Sabalenka’s closest challengers in New York, are both available at +500 before a tennis ball has been hit.

The defending champion kicks off her championship defence with a first-round match against Colombian Camila Osorio. The 2025 US Open winner is the clear favorite at -1100.

Sabalenka was excellent on the New York hard court last year, seeing off New Jersey-born Amanda Anisimova in the final. She is looking for a third straight US Open success and her first Grand Slam victory since winning in Queens a year ago.

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US Open Odds

It will be fascinating to see which Alcaraz shows up in New York after his injury. On his day, the seven-time Grand Slam winner is the best in the world, but reaching those dizzy heights could take time. Nevertheless, he has declared himself fit and is ready to compete for the biggest prize in US tennis.

Alcaraz beat current world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in last year’s final. Unfortunately, the Italian will miss the 2026 edition with an injury.

Before suffering the wrist injury, Alcaraz won the 2026 Australian Open at the start of this year, defeating Djokovic in the final.

With Sinner out, the trophy is well and truly up for grabs. Djokovic has all the experience in the world, and the superb Serbian is gunning for a 25th tennis Slam.

However, we cannot look past Alcaraz. The Spaniard is our favorite to lift the trophy at +260.

Our Prediction: Carlos Alcaraz Outright Men’s Winner – +260, BetMGM

US Open Picks

The Women’s US Open is just as exciting as the men’s edition, with the tournament betting market wide open. Sabalenka may be the defending champion and the favorite, but the likes of Gauff and Swiatek will no doubt go far.

Gauff burst onto the scene when she won the US Open in 2023, with Swiatek’s last victory in New York coming the year before. Since then, though, Sabalenka has stolen the show in the Big Apple, winning the last two.

Backing the outright women’s US Open champion is tougher than ever this year, but Sabalenka is the favorite for a reason. It could be close, but our money is going on the 28-year-old at +350.

Our Prediction: Aryna Sabalenka Outright Women’s Winner – +350, BetMGM

US Open Odds taken from BetMGM at 11:00 ET time, on August 28