1. Jannik Sinner (World No. 1)
In the most significant blow to the tournament, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn due to a persistent right knee injury. The Italian, who has been the dominant force on tour this year with a stunning 44-3 record and a Wimbledon title, announced
he needed more time to recover. Sinner has not played since his triumph at the All England Club, and his absence rips a massive hole in the men's draw. Not only was he a favorite to win, but his withdrawal also marks a historic moment; he is only the second men's world No. 1 to miss the US Open since 1973. His decision completely changes the landscape for contenders like Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, opening up a path that many thought would have to go through the seemingly unbeatable Italian.
2. Victoria Mboko (World No. 17)
On the women's side, one of the most dynamic rising stars, Victoria Mboko, is a significant loss. The 19-year-old Canadian has been sidelined with a knee injury she sustained during the grass-court season. Her absence is particularly painful as she was enjoying a breakthrough year and was considered a dark horse with the power to make a deep run in New York. Mboko had already shown her potential by breaking into the top 10 earlier in the year, and her aggressive style of play would have been perfectly suited to the fast hard courts of Flushing Meadows. Her withdrawal removes a potential giant-killer from the draw and is a major disappointment for fans eager to see the next generation challenge for Grand Slam titles.
3. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (World No. 27)
The men's draw lost one of its most exciting and unpredictable players with the withdrawal of Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Sidelined by a back injury that also forced him to miss the key lead-up tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati, his absence removes a seeded player known for his flair and shot-making. Davidovich Fokina has the talent to trouble any top player on a given day, and his high-energy presence will be missed by the New York crowds. His withdrawal is a frustrating setback for the Spaniard, who was looking to build on a solid season and make a strong showing at the final major of the year.
4. Holger Rune (World No. 102)
Though his ranking has fallen due to a long layoff, the absence of former top-10 player Holger Rune is a major loss in terms of star power and potential. The 23-year-old Dane has not played an official match since October 2025 after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon. While his return was not guaranteed, many held out hope he might make his comeback at the US Open. His team ultimately decided against rushing back for the best-of-five-set grind, opting to prepare for the 2027 season instead. Rune's explosive game and fiery competitiveness have been sorely missed on the tour, and his continued absence is a reminder of how brutal injuries can be in professional tennis.
5. Emma Raducanu (World No. 59)
A former US Open champion, Emma Raducanu's withdrawal is a poignant one for the Flushing Meadows faithful. The British star is sidelined with a grade four stress fracture in her shin, an injury that has kept her out of play since June. Raducanu's fairytale run to the title in 2021 remains one of the most incredible stories in modern tennis history, and her name will forever be linked with New York. While she has struggled with form and fitness since that victory, she remains a player capable of catching fire on the hard courts. Her inability to compete denies her a chance to recapture that magic and is another frustrating chapter in her ongoing battle with injuries.
