U.S. Open tennis 2026 blog: Fashion, new streaming, LIer plays in Day 1
Detail of Wilson tennis balls with the U.S. Open logo during a practice session prior to the start of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 22, 2024. Credit: (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
LI's Kennedy not done yet despite main draw loss
Jack Kennedy of Huntington pumps his fist after winning a point during his first-round match against Lloyd Harris of South Africa at the U.S. Open on Sunday. Credit: Errol Anderson
Jack Kennedy may be out of the men’s singles main draw at the U.S. Open, but his time at the tournament isn’t over just yet.
Kennedy confirmed Sunday that he will play junior boys singles and junior boys doubles for the third straight year. He won the doubles title last year in Flushing, and he’ll defend his title with partner Keaton Hance.
“That's how I'll end my junior career,” Kennedy said.
Main draw play for the U.S. Open junior boys tournaments will begin next Sunday, Sept. 6.
A rare doubleheader in Flushing
Citi Field is seen from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing on Sunday. Sunday was Day 1 of the U.S. Open, while across the street the Mets hosted the Houston Astros. Credit: Newsday/Anthony Rieber
Doubleheader today!
First day of the main draw of the U.S. Open and the Mets hosting the Astros across the street. Other than Sept. 4-6, the Mets will be on the road for the rest of the tournament.
LI's Jack Kennedy falls in first round
Jack Kennedy of Long Island competes during his second-round match of the US Open Junior Boys' singles draw in Louis Armstrong Stadium on Sept. 2, 2025. Credit: Errol Anderson
Huntington’s Jack Kennedy was defeated by Lloyd Harris in the first round of the U.S. Open, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.
Harris took the first set, 6-4, in what was a competitive match and a great environment for Kennedy. Kennedy had his moments in the second set, but Harris was too much as he won the set, 6-2, to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.
Huntington’s Jack Kennedy getting set for his Grand Slam debut. Cheers of “Let’s go Jack!” throughout the crowd at Court 12. pic.twitter.com/pa8bn3cbS9
— Ben Dickson (@bendickson__) August 30, 2026
It was the second match of the day on Court 12 after Kamil Majchrzak and Hamad Medjedovic met at 11 a.m.
Harris, 29, is the No. 139 player in the world. He reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open in 2021, his best finish in a Grand Slam.
Kennedy, the No. 386 player in the world and a freshman at the University of Virginia, and Harris never have played each other.
A pretty packed crowd for Jack Kennedy on Court 12 at the U.S. Open on Sunday. Credit: Newsday/Ben Dickson
Read more about the match here.
RedZone at the U.S. Open? What?
For the first time, ESPN is bringing NFL-style RedZone coverage to the first week of the U.S. Open.
From Sunday to Friday, subscribers to ESPN Unlimited via the ESPN App can watch RedZone coverage from 11 a.m to 6 p.m.
The service will give viewers access to matches taking place on all 16 courts just like NFL fans can get look-ins on all the games via NFL RedZone. ESPN will have a crew deciding which matches to feature in real time as the frenetic first-week action unfolds.
ESPN also holds the rights to NFL RedZone as part of its acquisition of NFL Network holdings earlier this year.
Serena and Venus back together again
For the first time in a Grand Slam since the 2022 US Open, the Williams sisters are back as a doubles duo.
Serena Williams and Venus Williams received a wild card into the US Open’s women’s doubles tournament, which will begin Thursday. The draw will be revealed Tuesday.
Read more about the Williams sisters in our 5 things to know about the U.S. Open here.
Sabalenka and preparing for U.S. Open's 'fashion week'
Aryna Sabalenka returns the ball during a mixed doubles match at the U.S. Open on Aug. 25, 2026. Credit: AP/Yuki Iwamura
Fashion is always something to watch at the U.S. Open, whether it’s what the players are wearing on the court or what fans wear to be seen while watching players on the court.
As two-time defending Open champion and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka gets ready for her first-round match on Monday, fans are just as interested in what she’s going to wear as how she’s going to fare against unseeded Camila Osorio at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Sabalenka already caused a stir last week with her outfit and post-match comments during last week’s mixed doubles match with Novak Djokovic.
Sabalenka wore a sheer jersey-style top over a bright orange sports bra and matching shorts in what appeared to be a cross between beachwear and tennis attire. The Belarusian said it was a nod to New York’s love of basketball.
“Surfing for the Australian Open, ballet for Roland Garros, cricket for Wimbledon,” she said. “Now it’s basketball and we’re in New York. Isn’t it the perfect fit?
“I love basically everything about my outfit. I love that it’s different. I love that this outfit is bold. Whatever people saying on (the) internet, I heard they probably didn’t like it … it’s funny for me . . . So who cares about people, right? All that matters for me is that I love it. For me, it’s super fun. Plus it’s really cool for pictures.”
