Patrick McEnroe and Mary Joe Fernandez Make Their 2026 US Open Predictions

As the summer winds down, the tennis world turns its attention to Flushing Meadows, New York, with the world’s best players preparing to battle for glory at the 2026 US Open.

The fourth and final Grand Slam of the year promises to be an intriguing fortnight, with both the men’s and women’s draws appearing unusually open ahead of the tournament.

ESPN tennis commentators Patrick McEnroe and Mary Joe Fernandez spoke exclusively to SportsBoom about their favourites, dark horses and potential champions in New York.

Fernandez backs Swiatek, Fils and a vulnerable Sabalenka

Fernandez believes there are plenty of contenders capable of lifting silverware in New York, particularly with several of the leading names arriving with question marks over their recent form.

“There's a lot of chances for the players you just mentioned to win a major. Nice to see Zverev take advantage. Sinner went out early, Alcaraz wasn't there. Can he do it again? I'm with Patrick, a lot of things have to break right for Novak, then we'll see. The Americans have a chance. Ben played well in Canada. He didn't recover quickly enough in Cincinnati. The opportunity is there," Fernandez told SportsBoom.us.

The former world No. 4 believes the women’s tournament could be particularly difficult to predict, with several leading contenders capable of going all the way.

“For the women, Sabalenka is going for a three-peat. She hasn't reached a final since winning Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back. She struggled a bit winning the big points. She's lost a couple of big leads in some events. So, she's vulnerable,” Fernandez added.

Fernandez instead highlighted Coco Gauff as the player currently showing the strongest form heading into the tournament.

“I thought Coco Gauff played exceptional tennis in Cincinnati. She played well in Canada, as well. To me, she's the one that's playing the best tennis. You have Pegula, Rybakina, if she's healthy, who reached the finals in Canada. Eala was outstanding in Washington. She beat a lot of top players there. A lot of players you mentioned have a chance.”

The ESPN analyst also selected Frenchman Arthur Fils as a potential dark horse after his breakthrough Masters 1000 triumph in Cincinnati.

The 22-year-old defeated Frances Tiafoe in three sets to claim his first ATP Masters 1000 title, and Fernandez believes that momentum could make him a dangerous opponent in New York.

“I agree, Fils played great to beat Tiafoe in the finals. I would go with him as well.”

Hsieh tipped to make history in New York

Fernandez also picked out a potential contender in the women’s doubles draw, backing veteran Su-wei Hsieh to challenge for her first US Open title.

The 40-year-old Taiwanese star has enjoyed an exceptional doubles career, and Fernandez believes age should not prevent her from making another deep run.

“Yeah, I mean, she's been a tremendous player. She's been a tremendous doubles player through the years. The two-handed backhand on both sides has great feel. Even though she's up there in age a little bit, yeah, there's no reason why she can't do it in doubles.”

McEnroe picks Swiatek to reclaim US Open crown

While Fernandez sees several potential winners on the women’s side, McEnroe has settled on a former champion as his pick to lift the trophy.

The former world No. 3 in men’s doubles believes Iga Swiatek can rediscover the form that saw her win the US Open and feels her more measured approach could work in her favour.

“I would go with Iga Swiatek on the women's. I think she is the favourite. I like the way she's playing. She is playing with a little bit more margin, not quite as offensive, which I think is actually very good for her. That's sort of why I'm picking her.”

McEnroe acknowledged that Swiatek may not be the outright favourite among bookmakers, with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka likely to command that status, but believes the women’s draw remains highly competitive.

“I don't think she's the favourite. It would probably be Sabalenka. I think Mary Joe is spot on about Coco; in Cincinnati looked great the last couple of matches. I'm not going to say it's wide open on the women's side, but there's probably six to eight players that could win it.”

Alcaraz remains McEnroe's men's favourite

On the men’s side, McEnroe believes Carlos Alcaraz remains the player to beat despite his limited recent preparation.

The Spaniard has not enjoyed the same volume of action as some of his rivals heading into the US Open, leaving questions over his fitness and match sharpness.

“He shows up, he's the favourite. He's not as big of a favourite as he would be if he had been playing. If he had been playing most of the year, he'd be a huge, huge favourite.”

McEnroe believes the uncertainty surrounding Alcaraz could bring several of his biggest rivals into contention, including Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev.

“Because of the question mark about how he's going to feel physically, how he's going to play, then you put probably the second favourite, I mean, I guess if you went by the odds makers, it's probably Djokovic or Zverev would be my guess. I haven't looked at them lately.”

But despite Alcaraz remaining his theoretical favourite, McEnroe has opted for an American to actually win the title.

McEnroe makes bold Shelton prediction

McEnroe has gone all-in on Ben Shelton to end America's long wait for a men's Grand Slam champion.

Shelton arrives in New York with considerable momentum after winning the 2026 National Bank Open in Montreal, defeating fellow American Brandon Nakashima in straight sets.

The victory was Shelton’s second consecutive triumph in an all-American final at the tournament, and McEnroe believes the 23-year-old can carry that form into Flushing Meadows.

"I'm picking Big Ben. I'm going for it. I like Shelton to win the Open. I can stop getting this question after 20-some years: When is the next American going to win a major? I'm sick of it! I'm tired of it.”

With Shelton enjoying a breakthrough run in Montreal and the men's draw lacking the certainty that has surrounded some previous US Opens, McEnroe believes the American has a genuine opportunity to make history on home soil.

For Fernandez, meanwhile, Fils represents an exciting outside contender, while both ESPN analysts agree that the 2026 US Open could produce plenty of surprises across the fortnight.