Alcaraz, Djokovic, and Jódar: Their Possible Toughest Rivals in Each Round of the 2026 US Open
We break down round by round what could be the worst possible scenario for Alcaraz, Djokovic, and Jódar ahead of the draw for the US Open 2026.
The countdown to the start of the US Open 2026 is moving inexorably forward, and it’s impossible for fans not to think about the draw, which will take place this Thursday at 18:00 in Spain. We analyze the most unsettling scenarios that could arise for Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Jódar.
More open and unpredictable than ever. This is how the US Open 2026 presents itself, giving rise to a context of uncertainty that only increases the expectations of tennis lovers trying to discern what might happen in Flushing Meadows in the coming weeks.
Before the draw, it is common to unveil potential rivals round by round, something that determines the seedings, and now we aim to analyze exhaustively for three of the players that will attract the most media attention.
The return of Carlos Alcaraz is a seismic event that shakes the hearts of all fans, eager to see if his inactivity won’t come at too high a cost for the Murcian. It would be very important for him to have manageable opponents in the early rounds to gain competitive rhythm and confidence.
In a similar situation is Novak Djokovic, who seems far from his best level and needs to conserve energy during the early rounds if he wants to have a chance of accomplishing a historic feat that currently seems utopian. Meanwhile, Rafael Jódar will debut in Flushing Meadows backed by having been a protagonist in the preceding tour and the hope of delivering a great performance.
Who the most dangerous rivals for Alcaraz, Djokovic, and Jódar could be in each round of the US Open 2026
First and Second Round: Numerous Serious Threats
Being a seeded player provides the advantage of facing a player who is not seeded in the first and second rounds, but in this US Open 2026, there are illustrious names and players on the rise who do not enjoy that privilege and can thus be matched against any of the best in this initial phase.
Hubert Hurkacz, Matteo Berrettini, Denis Shapovalov, Ignacio Buse, or Thiago Agustín Tirante are players who clearly command respect and can surprise Alcaraz, Djokovic, or Jódar on a day of inspiration. It is also important to mention Dani Mérida, on a clear upward trend, or Karen Khachanov and Stefanos Tsitsipas, who are not currently in good form but have the experience and talent to pose a headache.
Third Round: Uncomfortable Players and Important Touchstones
Hostilities can erupt in this round if all three get through their opening matches, as they could potentially face a seeded player. Among the possible opponents for both Alcaraz and Djokovic are names like Alexander Blockx and Alejandro Tabilo, as well as the ever-resilient Cameron Norrie.
Jódar's potential opponents will differ from those of the Murcian and the Serbian, with the young player from Madrid possibly facing high-level players such as Mensik, Lehecka, Ruud, Rublev, or Cerúndolo. Vacherot may be the easiest draw in this round.
Round of 16: The Path Becomes More Complicated
If Alcaraz and Djokovic have passed their first three matches, it is very likely that the confidence gained will make them difficult to approach in the Round of 16. However, their rivals possess the necessary level to put them in trouble. Their potential adversaries in this round will come from Musetti, Tien, Bublik, and Nakashima, with the Kazakh being the most appealing due to not having competed in the previous tournaments. The other three players pose significant dangers and arrive with confidence.
As for Rafa Jódar, his possible matchups could include Cobolli, with whom he recently lost in Cincinnati, De Miñaur and Medvedev, both currently struggling, and Ben Shelton, who would be the most concerning rival for the Spaniard.
Quarterfinals: Shelton is the Opponent to Avoid
Alcaraz and Djokovic would not face each other until hypothetical semifinals, but first they see that their potential opponents in the penultimate round would be the same as Jódar's in the Round of 16.
Thus, following the sensations, Ben Shelton would be the most complicated, followed by a Cobolli in good form. It does not seem easy for De Miñaur and Medvedev to exploit their privileged rankings and reach the quarterfinals, suggesting surprises could emerge in their sections.
Ultimately, complex challenges await Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Jódar in each round, as they will be keeping a close eye on the US Open 2026 draw to clearly understand their roadmap toward the title.
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