The US Open begins Sunday at Flushing Meadows, and there’s plenty to look forward to. Jannik Sinner, the defending champion in men’s singles, is slotted to open against Vit Kopriva, and a potential path to the final could see him face Jack Draper or Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals and Carlos Alcaraz in the championship match.
The tournament also boasts a record $85 million prize fund, with each winner taking home $5 million. While some players have complained about recent shifts to longer non-Slam tournaments, those in charge say they’re trying to make the sport more accessible to fans and drive attendance.
Nicole Kankam, the USTA’s managing director of pro tennis marketing and entertainment, joined “Mornings On 1” to preview this year’s event. Watch the video above to hear her thoughts on the schedule, the tournament’s top seeds and more.
Before the main draw starts, Fan Week takes place Aug. 18-24, offering free events and a qualifying tournament. During the first week, fans can purchase grounds passes that give them access to all outer courts. This option gives fans the ability to bounce from match to match as they cheer on breakout stars like USTA National Coach Ben Shelton, 2024 runner-up Taylor Fritz and rising talents Alex Michelsen and Learner Tien. And with Venus Williams back on court at 45 years old, the storylines are endless.