Djokovic headlines US Open opening night as Pegula and Venus Williams take center stage

Four-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic headlines the opening night of the tournament as he begins another bid for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title against Argentina’s Mariano Navone on Sunday.

The Serbian superstar will return to the familiar surroundings of Arthur Ashe Stadium for his first-round clash. With warm evening temperatures expected in New York, the conditions could work in Djokovic’s favour after he struggled physically in the heat during his surprise defeat in Cincinnati.

Djokovic captured his 24th Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, but his pursuit of No. 25 has continued into the past two seasons. Since that triumph, he has reached two Grand Slam finals, including this year’s Australian Open, while making six additional semi-final appearances.

Yet the elusive 25th major title remains out of reach. Winning in New York would see Djokovic move beyond the all-time Grand Slam record he currently shares with Australian great Margaret Court.

Also taking the court on the opening day will be American star Jessica Pegula, who is chasing her first Grand Slam championship, and tennis icon Venus Williams, a seven-time major winner and two-time US Open champion.

Mariano Navone vs Novak Djokovic

Mariano Navone vs Novak Djokovic will be their first career meeting.

Djokovic came agonisingly close to securing a 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, eventually losing the final to Carlos Alcaraz. With world No. 1 Jannik Sinner sidelined by a knee injury and Alcaraz returning to defend his title after a four-month injury layoff, Djokovic could see another opportunity to make history in New York.

Standing in his way first is world No. 48 Navone. The Argentine has yet to make a major breakthrough at a Grand Slam, with his best result coming at Roland Garros last year, when he reached the fourth round.

On paper, the matchup offers Djokovic a favourable opportunity to settle into the tournament. However, his physical condition will be closely watched following his difficult outing in Cincinnati.

The 39-year-old admitted that the extreme heat affected him during his defeat by Thiago Tirante, his first match since losing to Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals.

Jessica Pegula vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse

Jessica Pegula vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse will also be a first meeting between the two players.

Pegula arrives at her home Grand Slam determined to finally claim a major title. Her closest attempt came at the 2024 US Open, when she reached the final before losing to Aryna Sabalenka.

Sabalenka defeated Pegula again in the semi-finals last year, but the American has enjoyed another strong season heading into this year’s tournament. She has already collected two titles and reached three additional finals.

Pegula believes she is a more complete player than she was during her 2024 run.

“I think I’m doing a lot of things better now… I would love to get myself back into that position,” Pegula said this week.

Her opening challenge will come from world No. 63 Elena-Gabriela Ruse, whose best performance at the US Open came in 2024, when she reached the third round.

Venus Williams vs Sofia Kenin

One of the most anticipated matches of the opening day will see American legend Venus Williams face fellow American Sofia Kenin.

Williams is making her 26th appearance in the US Open main draw after receiving a wildcard. At 46, she is ranked 611th in the world and has endured a difficult recent run, losing her last 14 singles matches.

But rankings and recent results are unlikely to tell the full story when Williams steps onto the court in New York.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion remains one of the most recognisable figures in tennis and has a special connection with the US Open. She lifted the trophy at Flushing Meadows in 2000 and 2001, and her return is expected to generate a huge response from the New York crowd.

Her wildcard invitation has prompted debate over whether opportunities should instead be given to younger players, but USTA chief executive Craig Tiley defended the decision, pointing to Williams’ enormous contribution to tennis and her popularity with fans.

“I think she’s a magnificent champion, an American tennis icon,” Tiley said. “We see the feedback the fans give us, and they want to see Venus play.”

Williams will also compete in the women’s doubles alongside her younger sister Serena Williams.

Her opponent, Kenin, is a former Australian Open champion who also reached the French Open final in 2020. She has received a wildcard for this year’s US Open.

US Open 2026

The US Open is the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season.

The 2026 edition runs from August 30 to September 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.

With Djokovic chasing history, Pegula pursuing her first major and Venus Williams making another memorable appearance on Arthur Ashe Stadium, the opening night promises plenty of storylines before the tournament has even begun.