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The US Open returns this weekend for its 146th edition in what will be the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year. Held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, better known as Flushing Meadows, the tournament will see Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka return to defend the titles they won in 2025. Here's everything you need to know. Who are the favourites? The men's tournament is relatively open. Ordinarily, Alcaraz would be favoured, but he has only just returned from injury, so there have to be some doubts about his physical condition and level. That means Alexander Zverev is top seed after a strong year, but several elite players will fancy a run at the title. Novak Djokovic is level with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam singles titles in history, but has not won a major since claiming his 24th at the 2023 US Open. The women's draw looks ultra-competitive with all the leading players present and ready for action. Sabalenka is the top seed but will face strong opposition, not least from home favourite Coco Gauff, who warmed up for the tournament by winning the title in Cincinnati. Where is Sinner? World No 1 Jannik Sinner and British star Jack Draper both withdrew from the tournament last week due to injury. Former world No 4 Holger Rune will also miss out. Key dates August 30-September 1: First round September 2-3: Second round September 4-5: Third round September 6-7: Last-16 September 8-9: Quarter-finals September 10: Women's semi-finals September 11: Men's semi-finals September 12: Women's final September 13: Men's final (10pm UAE) Men's seedings 1. Alexander Zverev, Germany 2. Carlos Alcaraz, Spain 3. Felix Auger-Aliassime, Canada 4. Novak Djokovic, Serbia 5. Flavio Cobolli, Italy 6. Alex de Minaur, Australia 7. Daniil Medvedev, Russia 8. Ben Shelton, USA 9. Taylor Fritz, USA 10. Rafael Jodar, Spain 11. Lorenzo Musetti, Italy 12. Learner Tien, USA 13. Arthur Fils, France 14. Alexander Bublik, Kazakhstan 15. Jakub Mensik, Czech Rep 16. Jiri Lehecka, Czech Rep 17. Casper Ruud, Norway 18. Brandon Nakashima, USA 19. Frances Tiafoe, USA 20. Tommy Paul, USA 21. Luciano Darderi, Italy 22. Valentin Vacherot, Macedonia 23. Andrey Rublev, Russia 24. Francisco Cerúndolo, Argentina 25. Joao Fonseca, Brazil 26. Alejandro Tabilo, Chile 27. Arthur Rinderknech, France 28. Ugo Humbert, France 29. Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Argentina 30. Alexander Blockx, Belgium 31. Cameron Norrie, UK 32. Matteo Arnaldi, Italy Women's seedings 1. Aryna Sabalenka, Belarus 2. Elena Rybakina, Kazakhstan 3. Jessica Pegula, USA 4. Coco Gauff, USA 5. Mirra Andreeva, Russia 6. Linda Noskova, Czech Rep 7. Karolina Muchova, Czech Rep 8. Iga Swiątek, Poland 9. Elina Svitolina, Ukraine 10. Amanda Anisimova, USA 11. Marta Kostyuk, Ukraine 12. Belinda Bencic, Switzerland 13. Naomi Osaka, Japan 14. Iva Jovic, USA 15. Diana Shnaider, Russia 16. Sorana Cirstea, Romania 17. Alexandra Eala, Philippines 18. Ekaterina Alexandrova, Russia 19. Jasmine Paolini, Italy 20. Maja Chwalinska, Poland 21. Anna Kalinskaya, Russia 22. Madison Keys, USA 23. Elise Mertens, Belgium 24. Anastasia Potapova, Russia 25. Emma Navarro, USA 26. Marie Bouzkova, Czech Rep 27. Barbora Krejcikova, Czech Rep 28. Sara Bejlek, Czech Rep 29. Ann Li, USA 30. Jelena Ostapenko, Latvia 31. Leylah Fernandez, Canada 32. Maria Sakkari, Greece How much prize money is on offer? The winners of both the men's and women's US Open singles titles will receive $5.5 million. The runners-up will receive $2.8m. What time is it on in the UAE? The morning session's first-round matches start at 7pm UAE (11am local), with the night session starting at 3am UAE (7pm local). Subsequent schedules and orders of play will be announced as the tournament progresses. The times for the finals are fixed, however, and take place as below: Women's singles final: September 13, midnight UAE Men's singles final: September 13, 10pm UAE How to watch on TV in the UAE The 2026 US Open will be shown in the UAE on beIN Sports and streamed on TOD TV by beIN.