Is the US Open the big opportunity for Rafa Jódar?
Sinner will not be in New York, Alcaraz returns without rhythm, and Djokovic and Zverev raise doubts. Jódar looks to take advantage of this opportunity at the US Open 2026
US Open 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable Grand Slams in recent years with the absence of Jannik Sinner, the return of Carlos Alcaraz after more than four months away from competition, and the uncertainties surrounding Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev. For this reason, Rafa Jódar arrives in New York as one of the players capable of taking on anyone. His evolution during 2026 has been meteoric and after the latest ranking update, he occupies the 13th position in the world.
Sinner's absence changes the rules
The Italian announced his withdrawal from the US Open due to a persistent injury in his right knee after also missing the Masters 1000 in Montreal and Cincinnati.
The absence of the world number one means that the opportunities increase for other players like Rafa Jódar who can benefit from this scenario. He does not enter as a favorite, but also not as a stranger.
Alcaraz returns, but the question is his rhythm
The other big question mark is Carlos Alcaraz. The Murcian returns to competition after more than four months of absence due to injury and will face the US Open as the defending champion. Alcaraz's quality is beyond doubt, but the question is whether he can immediately regain his best level in a tournament of seven matches played best of five sets.
Recovering sensations during a tournament of this magnitude is no easy task. If Alcaraz needs several rounds to find his best version, other players like Jódar can take advantage of it.
Leo con tristeza lo que se ve por redes en estos últimos tiempos sobre Alcaraz y Sinner.
Gente con mala intención habla de que las ausencias de Carlitos y Jannik en estos torneos se deben a silent bans, como si el deporte estuviera así de podrido.
De Alcaraz se dijo… pic.twitter.com/EmQeddxRoT— José Morón (@jmgmoron) August 24, 2026
Djokovic and Zverev also don’t seem untouchable
Novak Djokovic remains capable of defeating anyone when he finds his best tennis version. A similar situation occurs with Alexander Zverev. The German appears in a privileged position in the draw after Sinner's withdrawal, but he is still searching for the consistency that will allow him to become a definitive Grand Slam dominator. In the US Open draw, Zverev becomes the top seed while Alcaraz and Djokovic also rise in the rankings.
Can what happened at Roland Garros and Wimbledon be repeated?
Roland Garros and Wimbledon have already shown that men's tennis can experience a new reality in which the usual three or four names do not control all the major tournaments and allow second-tier players to gain prominence in the predictions.
For this reason, the US Open 2026 may become the perfect stage for players like Jódar, Fils, Cobolli, Tiafoe, or Shelton, who know they have a great opportunity that arises infrequently on the ATP circuit.
The opportunity is there, but the goal must be realistic
Discussing Jódar as a candidate for an upset is not a matter of imagination. The Madrid-born player has achieved notable results in Madrid, Rome, and Montreal, in addition to reaching the quarterfinals at Roland Garros. In Cincinnati, he also demonstrated his high level of tennis, coming back from a match against Denis Shapovalov. The Spaniard arrives at the US Open eager for more and to show his courage in a setting that seems designed for a new protagonist to emerge.
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