Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, launches his bid for a record 25th Major title on Day 1 of the US Open 2026 at Flushing Meadows, New York, marking his 20th appearance at the tournament. The Serbian great, a four-time US Open winner, opens against Argentina's Mariano Navone in what promises to be an action-packed first day of play on 30 August.

Djokovic and Medvedev Lead the Men's Draw

Djokovic's opener against Navone is scheduled from 4:30 a.m. IST (Monday) on Arthur Ashe Stadium, the sport's largest court. Alongside him, 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev begins his campaign against France's Hugo Gaston in the day session starting 9:30 p.m. IST on the same court. Medvedev, a former world No. 1, will be looking to recapture the title he won five years ago.

Home favourite Ben Shelton, fresh off his Montreal title earlier this month, enters as one of the most anticipated American contenders. The 2023 US Open semifinalist faces the Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor in his first-round clash. Shelton's serve-and-volley aggression on hard courts makes him a genuine threat on his home turf.

Venus Williams Marks Her 26th US Open Campaign

Veteran Venus Williams steps onto the court for her 26th main-draw appearance at the US Open — a remarkable testament to her longevity in the sport. She faces fellow American Sofia Kenin, a former Australian Open champion, in a compelling all-American contest scheduled from 4:30 a.m. IST (Monday) on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Williams, who has won the US Open twice, remains a crowd favourite in New York. Her match against Kenin adds a generational dimension to the opening day, pitting one of the sport's all-time greats against a former Slam champion seeking a return to form.

Pegula Chases Maiden Grand Slam Title

American Jessica Pegula, seeded third, returns to Flushing Meadows with unfinished business. The 32-year-old reached the 2024 US Open final before falling to Aryna Sabalenka, and now opens her 2026 campaign against Belgium's Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the day session on Arthur Ashe Stadium. A strong home crowd and the memory of last year's final could sharpen her focus this fortnight.

Defending Champions and Zverev to Follow

Defending champions Carlos Alcaraz (men's) and Aryna Sabalenka (women's) are both scheduled to feature in the tournament's opening days, though not on Day 1. Alexander Zverev, who claimed the French Open 2026 title, is also set to feature as the draws unfold. Their entries into the draw will be closely watched given their status as the sport's dominant forces heading into the hard-court Slam.

Day 1 Schedule — US Open 2026 (All Times IST)

Arthur Ashe Stadium
Day session from 9:30 p.m.: [3] Jessica Pegula vs. Elena-Gabriela Ruse; [7] Daniil Medvedev vs. Hugo Gaston
From 4:30 a.m. (Monday): Mariano Navone vs. [4] Novak Djokovic; Venus Williams vs. Sofia Kenin

Louis Armstrong Stadium
From 8:30 p.m.: [19] Jasmine Paolini vs. Verinika Erjavec; Coleman Wong vs. [20] Tommy Paul
From 4:30 a.m. (Monday): [9] Elina Svitolina vs. Solana Sierra; [15] Alexander Bublik vs. J.J. Wolf

Grandstand
From 8:30 p.m.: [18] Jiri Lehecka vs. Pablo Carreno Busta; [11] Marta Kostyuk vs. Storm Hunter; Miomir Kecmanovic vs. Denis Shapovalov
Not before 2:30 a.m. (Monday): [26] Emma Navarro vs. Lois Boisson

Stadium 17
From 8:30 p.m.: Kamilla Rakhimova vs. Barbora Krejcova; Shuai Zhang vs. Leylah Fernandez; Joo Faria vs. Jenson Brooksby
From 2:30 a.m. (Monday): Alex Michelsen vs. Federico Cina

With Djokovic's 25th Slam pursuit, Williams's 26th campaign, and Shelton's home-crowd momentum, the 2026 US Open is set for one of its most compelling opening days in recent memory.