The 145th edition of the US Open men’s singles tennis tournament is set to begin this Sunday, August 31, 2025, in New York, and excitement is already building to a fever pitch. With a field of 128 players, all eyes are locked on the two dominant forces in men’s tennis: Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. These two young stars have captured the last seven Grand Slam titles between them, and every bookmaker from bet365 to ESPN BET is signaling that their rivalry is poised to shape the narrative in Flushing Meadows once more.
Jannik Sinner, currently ranked World No. 1, enters the tournament as the defending champion and the odds-on favorite. At bet365, Sinner is listed at +110, while ESPN BET has him at a slightly shorter +105 to lift the trophy again. Hot on his heels is Carlos Alcaraz, who holds odds of +162 at bet365 and +180 at ESPN BET. The implied probability that either Sinner or Alcaraz will win the tournament stands at a staggering 85.8 percent, underscoring just how much these two have separated themselves from the rest of the field.
But what makes this year’s US Open so compelling isn’t just the statistical dominance of Sinner and Alcaraz—it’s the rich, unfolding story between them. The pair have split the last two major finals, with Alcaraz taking the crown at Roland Garros and Sinner triumphing at Wimbledon. As the US Open approaches, the No. 1 ranking is also on the line. Sinner is defending his title, but Alcaraz, riding high after a recent Cincinnati Masters victory, could leapfrog the Italian with a deep run in New York.
Speaking to the ATP website, Alcaraz was candid about the challenge ahead. “The past three Grand Slams on hard courts, he [Sinner] won. It’s been unbelievable the tennis he’s bringing on hard courts. So I just look up to him in some way just to be ready if I have to face him somewhere. It’s going to be great. I’m just getting ready for the tournament, just to do a good result, hopefully meet him in the final. It would be a great result having a good run here. If I beat him, much more… He has a big target, his back!”
Alcaraz’s confidence is bolstered by his recent form and preparation. After winning the Cincinnati Masters—albeit after Sinner was forced to retire due to illness in the final—the Spaniard feels much better prepared than he did last year, when he exited the US Open in the first week. “As you could see, I was more prepared than last year. Now I’m just feeling much better. So I’m glad that I had those days. Last year everything was tighter,” Alcaraz explained. “It’s much different. I have more time just to have my days completely off, just to recharge my mind, my batteries. I had two weeks at home practising, but it was at home. So for me, it is an extra that I got those days at home, and then going to Cincinnati with more happiness, let’s say, and really wanting it, hungry to play the tournaments.”
Alcaraz’s first test at the US Open will be against American Reilly Opelka on Monday, September 1. It’s the first career meeting between the two, and Alcaraz is well aware of the challenge. “Well, it’s going to be really difficult playing Opelka for the first time,” he admitted. “We all know his game style. So I have to be ready for that, have to be focused on the return, trying to put in as many returns as I can. Trying to get good rhythm in the match, playing good points from the baseline when he lets me do it, and let’s see. The confidence is high right now. The court feels good. The balls feel good. I’m just getting ready.”
While Sinner and Alcaraz are rightfully the center of attention, the US Open has a history of surprising runs and unexpected contenders. Just ask Frances Tiafoe, who enters the tournament at 100/1 odds on bet365. The Maryland native has reached the semifinals in two of the last three US Opens and was just one win away from making it three-for-three. Tiafoe, who tends to peak at this time of year, will benefit from a relatively favorable draw, with a potential test against Holger Rune in the Round of 32 looming as his first major hurdle.
Karen Khachanov, another hard court specialist, is listed at 125/1 with BetMGM. The Russian recently made two finals at the end of 2024, both on hard courts, and his relentless energy is well-suited to the grueling conditions of the US Open. Khachanov’s path looks manageable until a possible clash with Alex de Minaur in the Round of 16, offering him a real shot at another deep run.
And then there’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, who, despite a rocky 2025 season and odds of 150/1 at BetMGM, remains one of the most talented players on tour. Drawn into the same quarter as Khachanov, Tsitsipas has a couple of early-round matches that could help him regain confidence before the competition stiffens. While his form has dipped over the past 18 months, Tsitsipas is still a two-time Grand Slam finalist, and with the right mindset, a surprise run isn’t out of the question.
The American contingent is also worth watching, with Ben Shelton holding the best odds among U.S. men at +2000 on ESPN BET. On the women’s side, Coco Gauff leads American hopes at +800, with Madison Keys, Amanda Anisimova, and Jessica Pegula all in the mix. Pegula, notably, lost to Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets in last year’s US Open final and will be looking for redemption.
As the tournament gets underway, fan discourse is sure to intensify, especially around the Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry. Even Taylor Fritz, one of America’s top players, chose to sidestep the debate when asked who might ultimately have the better career, preferring to let their on-court battles do the talking.
With the No. 1 ranking, a Grand Slam title, and bragging rights all on the line, the 2025 US Open promises high drama, fierce competition, and perhaps a few surprises along the way. Whether the favorites deliver or a new name emerges from the shadows, tennis fans around the world won’t want to miss a moment of the action as it all unfolds in New York.
