U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows: Best SI Photos of Early Rounds

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka looks to win back to back U.S. Open titles. | Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

The 2025 U.S. Open started Sunday in Queens, N.Y., with both world No. 1s and top players already advancing through the first rounds.

Early matches featured both top seeds—Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner—as well as Carlos Alcaraz (No. 2), American Ben Shelton (No. 6) and Novak Djokovic (No. 7).

Sports Illustrated photographer Erick W. Rasco is at Flushing Meadows to catch the hard-court action throughout the tournament. Here are our favorite images from the last major of the 2025 tennis season.

Best of SI Photos at U.S. Open

1. Aryna Sabalenka
2. Jannik Sinner
3. Carlos Alcaraz
4. Ben Shelton
5. Novak Djokovic

Aryna Sabalenka

U.S. Open Women's Top Seed and Defending Champion

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Jannik Sinner

U.S. Open Men's Top Seed and Defending Champion

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Carlos Alcaraz

U.S. Open Men's No. 2 Seed

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Ben Shelton

U.S. Open Men's No. 6 Seed

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Novak Djokovic

U.S. Open No. 7 Seed

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

---