How the Top Five Stack Up
Aryna Sabalenka
Is 2025 just not the world No. 1’s year? After finishing as runner-up in Melbourne and Paris and falling in the Wimbledon semifinals, Sabalenka has yet to win a major this season despite being a consistent favorite. Still, with her powerful game and dominant serve—especially on hard courts—she has the tools to make a deep run as the defending champion in New York. The Belarusian has now spent 52 weeks as world No. 1, surpassing her compatriot Victoria Azarenka’s 51 weeks for the 13th-longest reign since the WTA rankings began in 1975. At 27, she may yet follow in the footsteps of Roger Federer in 2008 and win the final major of the year after reaching two finals and a semifinal.
Coco Gauff
The 2023 winner receives overwhelming support at Flushing Meadows, and it seems to lift her performance. Gauff impressed with a French Open victory this summer, but her grass season was a struggle, ending with a first-round exit at Wimbledon. Her serve, in particular, has been a topic of concern. “I’m disappointed in that part of my game,” she has said. “I serve well in practice, and I want to bring that into matches. Right now, I’m winning with one part of my game carrying the load. If I can get both aspects working, things should become much easier.” Her 23 double faults in a win over Danielle Collins in Montreal were the most in a WTA-level match since 2011.
Iga Świątek
After a stunning Wimbledon victory that included a historic double bagel in the final, the Polish star enters the US Open as a favorite, having overcome a slow start to the year. The 2022 champion appears to be back to her dominant best, and with a strong head-to-head record against most of the field, the 24-year-old may hold a mental edge over her rivals. Since the start of the 2020 season, she has notched the most wins (44) against grand slam champions at the WTA level.
Jessica Pegula
This year, the American has won three singles titles—in Bad Homburg, Charleston, and Austin—and reached finals in Miami and Adelaide, but she hasn’t advanced past the fourth round of a major. She’s coming off a third-round upset by Magda Linette in Cincinnati, where her movement looked sluggish. At 31, her window to win a grand slam is narrowing, but she has a strong record on hard courts and in New York, where she finished as runner-up last year.
Mirra Andreeva
Though she hasn’t yet won a major, the 18-year-old is rapidly emerging as a serious contender. She plays an aggressive baseline game but needs to improve her focus when things aren’t going her way. With a 36–12 record in 2025, she has already surpassed last year’s win total of 34. Her run to the Wimbledon quarter-finals made her the youngest player to break into the top five since Maria Sharapova.
Other Home Hopes
American tennis is thriving. Beyond Gauff and Pegula, Madison Keys is another name expected to make an impact in New York. She broke through with a grand slam win in Australia this year, defeating Sabalenka in the final. Although she hasn’t maintained that form, she remains a dangerous opponent. Emma Navarro, ranked No. 11, will also aim to improve on her semifinal appearance from last year.
Best British Hopes
Emma R…Emma Raducanu, the British No. 1, is playing with a new sense of freedom and says she feels more confident heading into the US Open than at any time since she won the tournament in 2021. After her remarkable run as a qualifier to claim the title that year, Raducanu hasn’t won a single match in New York—losing in the first round in both 2022 and 2024, and missing the 2023 event due to surgery. This will be her first Grand Slam working with her new coach, Francisco Roig, who was part of Rafael Nadal’s team from 2005 to 2022.
Also worth watching is Sonay Kartal, who will make her main draw debut in New York. The Brighton native had an impressive run at Wimbledon but lost early in Cincinnati and has limited experience on hard courts.
In other news, Venus Williams—a legend and former world No. 1—has been given a wildcard into the main draw. While her star power will draw big crowds, she has only won three matches out of 14 since January 2023 and hasn’t won a US Open match since 2019. An early exit seems likely, despite her enduring passion for the game.
One to keep an eye on is 18-year-old Victoria Mboko, who arrives full of confidence after winning her first WTA title at the Canadian Open, beating four Grand Slam champions along the way. She started the season ranked outside the top 300 but has soared to No. 24 in the world and will be seeded for the first time at a major. “The US Open has been one of my favorite tournaments since I was little—it’s very special to me,” Mboko said. “I don’t have many expectations. I just want to have as much fun as possible.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about how the top contenders are preparing for the US Open womens singles with clear and concise answers
General Preparation The Tournament
Q When is the US Open
A The main draw of the US Open is typically played over two weeks in late August and early September concluding around the first weekend of September
Q Where is the US Open played
A It is held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows New York City
Q What surface is the US Open played on
A It is played on hard courts specifically DecoTurf which is known for being a mediumfast surface
Q Why is the US Open considered so challenging
A Its the final Grand Slam of the year the hard courts are physically demanding and the loud energetic New York crowd creates a unique and highpressure atmosphere
Player Preparation Training
Q How do players physically prepare for the hard courts
A They focus on building endurance through running and cycling and strengthening their legs core and shoulders to handle the impact of the hard surface and powerful shots
Q What does a typical training week look like for a top player before the Open
A Its a mix of oncourt practice gym workouts for strength and conditioning and recovery sessions like ice baths massage and physiotherapy
Q Do players change their diet before a big tournament
A Yes they often work with nutritionists to optimize their intake They focus on complex carbs for sustained energy lean proteins for muscle repair and perfecting their hydration and electrolyte balance especially for the often hot and humid conditions in New York
Q Which tournaments do players use to prepare for the US Open
A Most top players compete in the US Open Series which includes hard court tournaments like the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open These events help them adjust to similar court speeds and conditions
Strategy Mindset
Q How do players adjust their game for the US Opens fast courts
