Main draw action at the 2025 US Open begins on August 24, with the final Grand Slam of the year up for grabs in the city that never sleeps. Here are some of the top storylines to keep in mind before the first serve hits the hardcourt in Queens.

Shelton, Fritz Look To End A Two-Decade Dryspell

The rising generation of American stars has dazzled the New York night with breakout performances in recent editions. However, the host nation has not produced a men’s champion since Andy Roddick lifted the title in 2003. The incoming cohort could give fans sufficient reason to believe this could finally be the year. 

Take Ben Shelton, whose semifinal run at the 2023 US Open put him on the map at just 20 years old. Since then, the former Florida Gator has continued his steady ascension, reaching new heights in his 2025 campaign. He notched his career-best result in each of the first three Majors, reaching the Australian Open semifinals, the Roland Garros fourth round, and the Wimbledon quarterfinals. When the ATP Tour returned to the American hardcourts, Shelton overcame formidable opposition on his way to the National Bank Open title, marking his maiden ATP Masters 1000 victory and boosting his ranking to a career-high No. 6. If the Atlanta native can layer elite shotmaking on top of his blistering serve, he could be poised for another deep run.

No American has gotten closer to this elusive title than 2022 BNP Paribas Open Champion Taylor Fritz, who became the first American finalist since 2006, falling short to Jannik Sinner in the title match. The California native has rested at the No. 4 ranking for all but three weeks this year, with his best tennis coming on the grass swing where he won a title in Eastbourne and reached his first Wimbledon semifinal. The pressure will be on the 27-year-old who still awaits his marquee moment on the Major stage.

These Top Ten talents–along with fellow countrymen Francis Tiafoe and Tommy Paul– have played some of their best career tennis at the US Open, and are key players to watch as they seek to break a 21-year drought.

Sabalenka’s Supremacy Hangs In The Balance

Success in the WTA Tour has been in constant flux throughout the year, with each Major thus far claimed by a unique champion, and the eight completed Masters events won by six different players. What has been consistent since October 2024, however, is Aryna Sabalenka’s standing as World No. 1.

The 2025 BNP Paribas Open runner-up has won three titles this year, including two at the Masters level, but adding another Major title to her trophy case has remained elusive. The three-time Grand Slam winner came up short in the finals at the Australian Open and Roland Garros to Madison Keys and Coco Gauff, respectively, and was bounced from the Wimbledon semifinal by Amanda Anisimova. 

Sabalenka’s last chance to win a Grand Slam in 2025 begins next week at the US Open, a tournament which could have major implications for the future pecking order of the WTA. Anything short of a repeat title would mean dropped points, which would shrink the gap between her and the pack of players behind her, led by Gauff and Iga Swiatek.

The stakes will be high for Sabalenka in her resistance against the trend in women's tennis towards parity.

Sinner-Alcaraz Rivalry Reaches A Pivotal Point

2025 has been a monumental year for the feud between Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz which could go on to define the next decade of men’s tennis. The World No. 1 and No. 2, have dueled in four finals this year, including in the legendary Roland Garros final in which Alcaraz made a clay comeback for the ages, and at Wimbledon where Sinner cruised to a four-set victory on grass. While their most recent match in the Cincinnati final failed to meet the usual standard due to Sinner’s illness, the opportunity for a hardcourt collision in New York still looms.

Even if a third consecutive Major final matchup isn’t in the cards, this tournament comes with special implications in the career contest between the ATP's faces of the future: with the current Grand Slam title tally tilted 5-4 in favor of Alcaraz, a successful title defense by Sinner would even the count as the 2025 season comes to a close.