By Tracy Zwick
Aleksander Kovacevic, currently ranked 89th in the world in men’s singles, is coming in to the 2026 U.S. Open hot.
Longtime West Side Rag readers know Kovacevic’s Upper West Side story: He grew up on West 97th Street and attended P.S. 9, MS54, and Beacon High School. They may also remember his recent history at the Open, including his run to the semifinals of the tournament’s mixed doubles competition in 2024.
But only those who have been closely following his career may know how Kovacevic has been faring day-in, day-out on the global tennis circuit.
Earlier this summer, he advanced to the doubles semifinals at Wimbledon. And earlier this week, he beat former World No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in singles at a tournament in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
“He’s definitely improved on his serve,” Tsitsipas told WSR on Saturday at the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, where the U.S. Open is held. Tsitsipas had previously beaten Kovacevic in 2024 at a tournament in Los Cabos, Mexico.
“I don’t remember him serving that well, and that was something that was surprising to see — the level of improvement from the previous match that I played against him,” Tsitsipas said.
He also described Kovacevic as “definitely much more aggressive and more daring in his decision-making” than he was a couple of years ago. “He is going for his shots a little bit more.”
The unseeded Kovacevic begins his 2026 U.S. Open campaign on Monday, Aug. 31st at 11 a.m. on Court 11 on the tournament’s grounds in Flushing Meadows. He’ll face the No. 22 seed, Valentin Vacherot of Monaco.
Vacherot, meanwhile, has recently hit a hard-court rough patch. In recent weeks, he lost to No. 70 Daniel Vallejo of Paraguay, and to American Emilio Nava, who was ranked No. 111 at the time.
Kovacevic should have plenty of support in the stands Monday. He’s got a sizable and vocal following at the Open, and Court 11 offers one of the tournament’s most intimate venues, with bleacher-style seats just feet from the action.
Anyone with a grounds pass or stadium ticket can stop by Court 11 on Monday to watch the Upper West Side’s own Kovacevic. Check out WSR’s UWS Guide to the 2026 U.S. Open for information on tickets, transportation, food and more.
You can also watch every U.S. Open match on ESPN.
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Also Michael Zheng from Columbia University is playing.
There’s a great piece in GQ about Zheng as well! One of the next great US tennis stars. https://www.gq.com/story/american-tennis-players-portfolio-us-open-2026