Several of women’s tennis’s most recognisable players will compete in the qualifying rounds of the 2026 US Open after the official entry list was published on 4 August 2026.
Former Grand Slam champions Bianca Andreescu and Sofia Kenin were named alongside Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen in a highly competitive qualifying field. The preliminary tournament will begin on 24 August at Flushing Meadows in New York.
Qualifying gives players who did not receive direct entry an opportunity to secure the remaining positions in the US Open main draw. Entrants must progress through several elimination matches before joining the leading players in the principal competition.
Andreescu’s appearance will attract considerable attention because the Canadian produced one of the tournament’s most memorable championship runs in 2019. She became the first woman to win the US Open during her main-draw debut, defeating Serena Williams in the final.
The 26-year-old has since experienced several injury problems that disrupted her progress and affected her ranking. She is currently ranked No. 179 and will contest US Open qualifying for the first time since 2018.
Andreescu last appeared at Flushing Meadows in 2024, when she lost to Jasmine Paolini in the opening round. During 2026, she has won two World Tennis titles, reached the final of the Austin WTA 125 tournament and successfully qualified for Wimbledon.
Kenin is the other Grand Slam champion included in the qualifying field. The American won the Australian Open in 2020 and reached a career-high position of No. 4 in the world.
Her strongest US Open performance came in 2020, when she advanced to the fourth round. However, a difficult 2026 season has left her ranked No. 118 after recording five victories from 24 matches.
Zheng will also attempt to reach the main draw through qualifying. The Chinese player won Olympic singles gold at Paris 2024 and finished as runner-up at the 2024 Australian Open.
The former world No. 4 underwent elbow surgery and played only one tournament between July 2025 and February 2026. Since returning, she has recorded 11 wins and 13 defeats and is currently ranked No. 125.
The 2026 US Open will mark only the second time Zheng has competed in Grand Slam qualifying. Her previous appearance came at the 2022 Australian Open, where she successfully progressed into the main draw.
Another major name in the field is 16-year-old Kristina Liutova. The teenager will make her Grand Slam qualifying debut after becoming the first player born in 2010 to win a WTA tournament.
Liutova captured the Memphis title during her tour-level debut, defeating experienced opponents including Ekaterina Alexandrova, Maya Joint and Caty McNally. Her victory moved her ranking from No. 229 to No. 126 and made her the youngest direct entrant in the US Open qualifying competition.
American Robin Montgomery, the 2026 ’s-Hertogenbosch champion, is also included as she continues her return from a wrist injury that kept her away from competition for nine months.
Former Grand Slam semifinalists Nadia Podoroska and Tamara Zidanšek will compete alongside several other players attempting to rebuild their careers or make their first major breakthrough.
Jeline Vandromme, the defending US Open junior champion, will also make her qualifying debut. The 18-year-old Belgian has risen dramatically from No. 582 in August 2025 to No. 132 after compiling a 40–15 record during the current season.
Ten players, including Heather Watson, Jodie Burrage, Kristina Mladenovic and Rebecca Marino, have entered using protected rankings granted following extended absences caused by injury, illness or pregnancy.
The presence of former major champions, an Olympic gold medallist and emerging teenage talents is expected to make the 2026 qualifying competition unusually competitive.
