The 2020 US Open is scheduled to start from Monday, August 31. The tournament will miss several big names, including both the men and women singles defending champions Rafael Nadal and Bianca Andreescu over coronavirus concerns. The tournament will be played under pandemic safety protocols. 

Last year, Nadal clinched his 4th US Open title and the 19th Major of his career by beating Russian youngster Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 in an epic, five-set final at Flushing Meadows, New York. Although Medvedev lost, he was able to push Nadal to his absolute limits and seemed to win the match at one point. 

Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu had stunned the world as she beat 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams in straight sets of 6-3, 7-5 to win her first-ever Major at the last year’s US Open. That was Serena’s fourth Majors final loss, making her wait further for her 24th. 

Both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer had disappointing outings in New York last year. While Novak was forced to retire mid-match against Stan Wawrinka in his 4th round match due to a left shoulder injury, the Swiss maestro lost to Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in a 5-set thriller quarter-final. It was Dimitrov’s first Major semi-final qualification since his semi-final clash against Nadal in the 2017 Australia Open.