US Open 2026: Italian Players in Second Round of Qualifiers

US Open 2026: Italian Hopefuls Take to the Flushing Meadows Courts in Qualifying Rounds

As the tennis world converges on New York, a cohort of seven Italian players stepped onto the Flushing Meadows courts on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, battling through the second round of the tournament’s qualifying draws. According to reporting from Spazio Tennis, this year’s tournament unfolds under unique circumstances, notably marked by the absence of ATP world number one Jannik Sinner on the men’s side.

While Sinner’s withdrawal leaves a major void at the top of the men’s entry list, the tournament welcomes back both defending singles champions. Aryna Sabalenka returns to defend her crown in the women’s draw, though she is not going through the best moment of her career. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz makes a surprising return after spending a significant portion of the 2026 season on the sidelines recovering from a wrist injury, raising questions about his match fitness.

Navigating the Flushing Meadows Schedule and Draw Mechanics

The path to the main stage of the US Open demands intense physical and mental resilience. According to the tournament schedule outlined by Spazio Tennis, the qualifying matches run from Monday, August 24 through Thursday, August 27, 2026. Survivors of this preliminary gauntlet will advance into the main singles draw, which officially gets underway on Sunday, August 30, running through Sunday, September 13.

For players and fans tracking the broader tournament architecture, the main singles draws are slated for a closed-door release on Thursday, August 27, at 6:00 p.m. Italian time (12:00 p.m. local time). The draw is conducted behind closed doors using dedicated software, revealing the final brackets without a televised broadcast or streaming service.

Doubles competitors face a slightly different timeline. The men’s and women’s main doubles draws are scheduled for Wednesday, September 2, at 6:00 p.m. local time, translating to midnight in Italy on Thursday, September 3. Mixed doubles action occupies a window on Tuesday, August 25, and Wednesday, August 26, following its own preliminary qualifying phase on Monday, August 24.

Comprehensive Television and Digital Broadcast Options for Viewers

For supporters following the Italian contingent from home, multi-platform coverage is available throughout the fortnight. According to Spazio Tennis, live and free-to-air television coverage in Italy is broadcast on SuperTennis TV, accessible on digital terrestrial channel 64 and via satellite on channel 212.

Digital viewers have access to expanded viewing options via the SuperTennis+ platform, which replaces the former SuperTennix service. Smart TV owners can utilize SuperTennis+ to simultaneously stream up to four additional matches alongside the primary television broadcast, while the platform also streams challenges on all live courts.

In addition to the free-to-air coverage, the tournament benefits from pay-TV distribution.

The Italian Landscape at Flushing Meadows

Italian tennis continues to hold a footprint on the global stage. Flavio Cobolli highlights the Italian contingent as one of the early seeded players in the men’s main draw.

Photo: spaziotennis.com

As the qualifying rounds conclude on August 27, attention will shift to the main draw matchups. With the physical unknowns surrounding top-tier entrants like Carlos Alcaraz, the performance of Italy’s qualifiers and seeded stars alike will dictate the narrative of the initial week in New York.