Which player was the top seed in the 2026 US Open women's singles draw?

Aryna Sabalenka was the top seed in the 2026 US Open women's singles draw.

Sabalenka entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed and the defending champion. Her seeding reflected her position at the top of the women's field when the draw was made.

She reached the final, where Elena Rybakina defeated her 6–4, 5–7, 6–2. Sabalenka therefore came close to retaining the championship but finished as runner-up.

Seeding is different from the final result: the No. 1 seed is not automatically the winner. In this tournament, the top seed reached the championship match, while the No. 2 seed captured the title.