U.S. Open storylines: Two long title waits converge as Williams sisters return to New York‎

Can Carlos Alcaraz defend a title that no man has defended in 17 years — while coming back from the injury tennis stars fear most? Will 2026 make tennis reconsider what parity really is? Is Venus and Serena Williams’ doubles partnership the start of another ending? And what about the impact of rising ticket prices and renovating the biggest stadium in the sport? The 2026 U.S. Open promises to be a cracker. Here, The Athletic’s tennis writers, Ava Wallace and Matt Futterman, chart some of the key