Watch US Open Qualifying — Day 1 Free.

What's at Stake

The road to the final Grand Slam of the year begins at Flushing Meadows, where 128 players in both the men's and women's singles draws battle for just 16 coveted spots in the main tournament. For rising prospects, securing a place offers a career-defining opportunity, while seasoned veterans fight to re-establish themselves on the sport's biggest stage. Beyond the prestige of competing in the main draw, players are competing for crucial ranking points and a significant share of the tournament's prize pool.

Form Guide

Heading into the qualifying rounds, the field is divided between in-form competitors peaking on the North American hard-court swing and players looking to snap recent losing streaks. Momentum is highly volatile in these early stages, as many competitors have spent the last few weeks grinding through ATP Challenger and WTA 125 events to fine-tune their games. Success on Day 1 often comes down to who has adapted quickest to the humid New York conditions and the fast-playing Decoturf surface.

Key Players to Watch

• The Top Seed — Under immense pressure to justify their ranking, the highest-seeded player in the qualifying draw must navigate a tricky opening match against a highly motivated opponent.
• The Local Wildcard — Backed by a passionate home crowd, young American talents often find an extra gear on the outer courts of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
• The Veteran Comeback Artist — A former top-50 player returning from injury who possesses the tactical experience and mental fortitude required to survive the grueling three-round qualifying format.

Prediction

Expect a day of high drama and intense three-set battles as nerves play a major role in the opening round of qualifying. Favored seeds with established hard-court baselines should advance in the majority of the matchups, but at least two major upsets are likely on the outer courts where local wildcards feed off the energetic New York crowd. Ultimately, physical conditioning and first-serve percentages will dictate the day, with the more experienced hard-court specialists securing safe passage to the second round.