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 datesAugust 30-September 1: First roundSeptember 2-3: Second round September 4-5: Third roundSeptember 6-7: Last-16September 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, Germany2. Carlos Alcaraz, Spain3. Felix Auger-Aliassime, Canada4. Novak Djokovic, Serbia5. Flavio Cobolli, Italy6. Alex de Minaur, Australia7. Daniil Medvedev, Russia8. Ben Shelton, USA9. Taylor Fritz, USA10. Rafael Jodar, Spain11. Lorenzo Musetti, Italy12. Learner Tien, USA13. Arthur Fils, France14. Alexander Bublik, Kazakhstan15. Jakub Mensik, Czech Rep16. Jiri Lehecka, Czech Rep17. Casper Ruud, Norway18. Brandon Nakashima, USA19. Frances Tiafoe, USA20. Tommy Paul, USA21. Luciano Darderi, Italy22. Valentin Vacherot, Macedonia 23. Andrey Rublev, Russia24. Francisco Cerúndolo, Argentina25. Joao Fonseca, Brazil26. Alejandro Tabilo, Chile27. Arthur Rinderknech, France28. Ugo Humbert, France29. Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Argentina30. Alexander Blockx, Belgium31. Cameron Norrie, UK32. Matteo Arnaldi, ItalyAryna Sabalenka of Belarus poses with the trophy after defeating Amanda Anisimova in the 2025 US Open final. EPAShow caption: Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus poses with the trophy after defea…Women's seedings 1. Aryna Sabalenka, Belarus 2. Elena Rybakina, Kazakhstan3. Jessica Pegula, USA4. Coco Gauff, USA5. Mirra Andreeva, Russia6. Linda Noskova, Czech Rep7. Karolina Muchova, Czech Rep8. Iga Swiątek, Poland9. Elina Svitolina, Ukraine10. Amanda Anisimova, USA11. Marta Kostyuk, Ukraine12. Belinda Bencic, Switzerland13. Naomi Osaka, Japan14. Iva Jovic, USA15. Diana Shnaider, Russia16. Sorana Cirstea, Romania17. Alexandra Eala, Philippines18. Ekaterina Alexandrova, Russia19. Jasmine Paolini, Italy20. Maja Chwalinska, Poland21. Anna Kalinskaya, Russia22. Madison Keys, USA23. Elise Mertens, Belgium24. Anastasia Potapova, Russia25. Emma Navarro, USA26. Marie Bouzkova, Czech Rep27. Barbora Krejcikova, Czech Rep28. Sara Bejlek, Czech Rep29. Ann Li, USA30. Jelena Ostapenko, Latvia31. Leylah Fernandez, Canada32. Maria Sakkari, GreeceHow 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 UAEMen's singles final: September 13, 10pm UAEHow 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.