Aryna Sabalenka arrives at the 2026 US Open carrying the heaviest burden among the leading names, with a large points haul to defend after her title run a year ago. By contrast, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek and Alex Eala have a clearer path, with the rankings picture giving them opportunities to climb.

Sabalenka won her fourth Grand Slam in New York in 2025, beating Amanda Anisimova in the final at Flushing Meadows, but the WTA Rankings work on a rolling 52-week system. That means the points earned at last year’s tournament come off at the start of this event before players begin adding fresh points through their results.

For Sabalenka, that means 2,000 points disappear from her total. She begins from 8,575 in the official rankings, which leaves her effectively on 6,575 once the adjustment is made, and she would slip to No 2 in the Live Rankings with Rybakina moving ahead. Her only route back to No 1 after the tournament is to win the title, though even that does not fully guarantee control of the race.

Anisimova also faces a significant hit after collecting 1,300 points as runner-up last year, while Jessica Pegula and Naomi Osaka each have 780 points to defend after reaching the semi-finals. Swiatek, Marketa Vondrousova, Barbora Krejcikova and Karolina Muchova are among those losing 430 points from their quarter-final results, while Rybakina, Gauff and Marta Kostyuk each drop 240.

Rybakina has the clearest opening at the top. A semi-final would send her past Sabalenka and make her world No 1 for the first time. Gauff is also in the mix, but she must win the title and hope Rybakina falls before the semi-finals. Kostyuk, meanwhile, is positioned to break into the top 10 for the first time.

Elsewhere, Iva Jovic drops 570 points after accounting for points from Guadalajara and SP Open, while Alex Eala sheds 135 and still has an opening to push toward the top 15. Emma Raducanu, who is not playing in New York this year, will also lose 130 points after reaching the third round in 2025.

Roger Federer and Mary Carillo are set for a high-profile International Tennis Hall of Fame induction celebration, with nine Grand Slam winners confirmed for the event.

The ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, August 29 in Newport, Rhode Island, and the Hall has said that roughly 30 Hall of Famers are expected across the Induction Celebration Weekend. The scale of the turnout reflects the standing of both honorees, whose achievements have left a lasting mark on the sport in different ways.

Federer entered tennis history as the first man to reach 20 Grand Slam singles titles. That milestone was later passed by Rafael Nadal, who closed his career with 22 majors, and then by Novak Djokovic, who now holds 24 Slam trophies.

Carillo’s on-court resume includes the 1977 French Open mixed doubles title, but her influence has extended far beyond results. She became one of the sport’s most respected and recognisable voices through her work as a broadcaster.

It is still unknown whether Nadal or Djokovic will follow the example of Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams by appearing as surprise guests in Newport. Sharapova was inducted into the Hall of Fame 12 months ago and asked Williams to introduce her, keeping the plan secret for months.

“I had some of the toughest moments and some of the biggest victories on the court with Serena,” Sharapova told Gayle King. “At the end of the day, we have so much deep respect for each other, and there was no one that I wanted to see other than her up on stage.”

The weekend begins on Thursday, when Federer is due to play doubles alongside Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi and John McEnroe. Doubles specialists Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan, along with Stefan Edberg, Lleyton Hewitt, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Martina Navratilova and Gabriela Sabatini, are also scheduled to appear on the grass courts in Newport.

Joey Graziadei, Michael Kosta and Garbine Muguruza will likewise take part, with Lindsay Vonn set to serve as umpire. Dan Faber, CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, said: “The induction of Roger Federer and Mary Carillo has generated extraordinary excitement across the tennis world. We’re proud to bring this historic celebration to fans everywhere, ensuring audiences around the world can share in one of the sport’s most meaningful weekends,”

Naomi Osaka made a confident start to her Canadian Open run, easing past Panna Udvardy in straight sets in her opening match.

The Japanese player has put together a strong season so far, even if a singles title still eludes her. Her closest chance came at the Washington Open, where she reached the semi finals of the WTA 500 event before being defeated in straight sets by Alex Eala.

Osaka also had plenty to say about Eala’s rise on the WTA Tour. After her own match, she was asked about the Filipina’s growing support and responded with praise for both the atmosphere and the fans.

“I think it’s great. Like, just now I finished my match and the little go cart was taking me back, I looked at the practice court and it was completely full,” said Osaka in her post-match press conference when asked about Eala.

“I was like, who’s practicing right now? She didn’t even go on court yet and then I saw the Filipino flags and I was like, um-hum. But, no, I think it’s awesome. Like, they’re so kind, too, the fans.

“Like, I think she’s playing late tonight and some of them were on my court cheering for me. I just felt really grateful. So it’s so cool that she’s building a new community.

“And then obviously her fans probably, like, watch tennis enough now to have like other favorites too. So I think it’s amazing, and obviously great for the tournament, because she sells a lot of tickets.”

Both players remain alive in the Canadian Open and are among the leading contenders for the title. Eala advanced with a three-set win over Alycia Parks and will face Caty McNally in the third round after McNally beat Linda Noskova in straight sets. Osaka is scheduled to meet Elise Mertens in the third round.

They are positioned in the same section of the draw, leaving open the possibility of another meeting in the semi finals if both continue to progress. Their Washington Open match was their first on the WTA Tour, and with both in form, it may not be their last meeting in 2026.

The two are separated by six places in the rankings. Eala is world No 20 after her Washington Open victory, while Osaka sits at world No 14. With only two of the top 20 already out of the Canadian Open, the women’s field remains particularly strong.