US Open 2021 preview: Djokovic chases history, Murray & Osaka play, no Williams, Federer, Nadal

[Animous]

Serbian top seed Novak Djokovic will be the centre of attention as he bids to win a historic 21st Grand Slam men's title at a US Open lacking a slew of his fellow big-name stars.

Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are all missing the New York event through injury - the first major without the three of them in a singles draw since 1997.

Djokovic, 34, will be the main focus as he attempts to complete a rare calendar sweep of the Grand Slams and pull clear of Federer and Nadal in terms of major victories.

Australia's world number one Ashleigh Barty is widely considered as the player to beat in the women's singles, although defending champion Naomi Osaka is aiming to lift the title for the third time in four years.

Another star name who will be at Flushing Meadows is Andy Murray. The 34-year-old Briton has overcome the minor thigh injury that forced him pull to out of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games singles last month.

Who's playing on Monday?

Murray, the 2012 men's singles champion, faces Greek third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round at about 19:00 BST on Monday.

The opening day of the tournament sees five other Britons playing in the singles - with Dan Evans, Heather Watson, Johanna Konta and Cameron Norrie all playing in consecutive matches on court 10.

Evans starts against Brazil's Thiago Monteiro at 16:00 BST, followed by Watson against Slovenia's Kaja Juvan. Konta then faces France's Kristina Mladenovic before Norrie plays last against Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz.

About 18:30 BST, Harriet Dart takes on France's Caroline Garcia on court 15.

Japan's four-time major champion Osaka, American teenage sensation Coco Gauff and men's second seed Daniil Medvedev are among those also playing on Monday.

Monday's order of play on the US Open showcourts

Arthur Ashe StadiumLouis Armstrong Stadium

(From 17:00 BST)(From 16:00 BST)

Madison Keys (US) v Sloane Stephens (US)Donna Vekic (Cro) v Garbine Muguruza [9] (Spa)

Andy Murray (GB) v Stefanos Tsitsipas [3] (Gre)John Isner [19] (US) v Brandon Nakashima (US)

Magda Linette (Pol) v Coco Gauff [21] (US)

(From 00:00 BST)(From 00:00 BST)

Marie Bouzkova (Cze) v Naomi Osaka [3] (Jpn)Nina Stojanovic (Srb) v Aryna Sabalenka [2] (Blr)

Richard Gasquet (Fra) v Daniil Medvedev [2] (Rus)Roberto Bautista Agut [18] (Spa) v Nick Kyrgios (Aus)

No player bubble but fans must prove vaccination

After being closed to fans last year, the tournament will be the first Grand Slam since the coronavirus pandemic started to be allowed a 100% capacity throughout. No spectators meant a $180m budget deficit for the United States Tennis Association in 2020.

Fans at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre will be required to show proof of at least one vaccination, however.

Players will be subject to regular coronavirus testing but are not required to stay in a tournament bubble, meaning they are free to wander around Manhattan as they wish.

The message from the players about how the isolation bubbles were affecting their mental health was "loud and clear", US Open chief executive Stacey Allaster said.

"It was important they could have some flexibility," she added.

Players have 'responsibility' to public and should get vaccinated - Murray

Dominant Djokovic is the favourite - but who is best placed to deny him?

[Silent Watcher]

Avoid unnecessary posts such as 'Thank you', 'Welcome', etc. Such posts will be deleted and user will be warned if it happens again. If caught spamming, the following actions are applicable -

• First time - Warning
• Second time - 5000 Points will be deducted
• Third time - Ban for 7 days
• Fourth time - Permanent Ban

If the post helped you, reward the user by reacting to the post like this -