US OPEN 2020: Year unlike any other, Slam unlike any other

In a year unlike any other, get ready for a U.S. Open unlike any other.

“There was definitely a point where, in the beginning, I was like: There is no way these tournaments can even happen,” Serena Williams said about playing amid a pandemic.

Professional tennis returned recently from a hiatus of nearly six months caused by the coronavirus outbreak -- and it will be back on one of its biggest stages Monday, when Flushing Meadows begins hosting the first Grand Slam matches since the Australian Open ended in February.

FILE - In this Aug. 25, 2020, file photo, Serena Williams arrives for her match with Maria Sakkari, of Greece, during the third round at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament in New York. In a year unlike any other, get ready for a U.S. Open unlike any other. “There was definitely a point where, in the beginning, I was like: There is no way these tournaments can even happen,” Serena Williams said about playing amid a pandemic.(AP PhotoFrank Franklin II)

“There are going to be a lot of people around the world who think we should not play tennis, that no public gathering should happen. I understand that fully. I really do,” said No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic, who caught COVID-19 in June during an exhibition tour he organized in Serbia and Croatia that did not mandate mask-wearing or social distancing.

“But, you know," he continued, "I think there also is going to be quite a lot of people that are going to be happy to see tennis keep going.”

The U.S. Tennis Association set up what it calls a “controlled environment.” Nearly all players and their limited-to-three entourages are staying in two hotels on Long Island (eight players opted for private housing at a cost of $40,000). They're barred from going to Manhattan.

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2019, file photo, Rafael Nadal, of Spain, holds up the championship trophy after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, to win the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. Both 2019 U.S. Open champions — Nadal and Bianca Andreescu — withdrew from the the 2020 U.S. Open tournament. (AP PhotoCharles Krupa, File)

There's frequent testing for the coronavirus. One player said she got a nose swab at 7 a.m., four hours before a match at the Western & Southern Open, the hard-court tournament being held the week beforehand at the same site used for the U.S. Open — it's usually played in Ohio.

There are dozens of “social distance ambassadors” tasked with making sure players and others are covering their mouths and noses and staying far enough apart.

“The protocols that they have are so intense,” said Williams, who has dealt with blood clots and lung issues. “It definitely helps me to feel safe.”

FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2019, file photo, Bianca Andreescu, of Canada, kisses the championship trophy after defeating Serena Williams, of the United States, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. Both 2019 U.S. Open champions — Rafael Nadal and Andreescu — withdrew from the the 2020 U.S. Open tournament. (AP PhotoCharles Krupa, File)

The U.S. Open traditionally ends the Grand Slam season but goes second in 2020, because the French Open was postponed from May until late September, and Wimbledon was canceled for the first time since World War II.

“It’s been so long,” said Taylor Fritz, a Californian ranked 24th. “Everyone is pumped up to be back out there.”

Well, not quite everyone will be back out there.

FILE - In this Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, file photo, a ball boy stands at attention while wearing a protective mask during the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament at Flushing Meadows in New York. The U.S. Open tennis tournament will be played at the same venue next week. Professional tennis returned recently from a hiatus of nearly six months caused by the coronavirus outbreak -- and it will be back on as big a stage as it has Monday, when Flushing Meadows begins hosting the first Grand Slam matches since the Australian Open ended in February. (AP PhotoFrank Franklin II, File)

For one thing, there will be no spectators; more than 700,000 attended last year. That will change things, especially at 23,771-capacity Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Also missing? Several top players, including both 2019 champs: Rafael Nadal and Bianca Andreescu.

Roger Federer is skipping the tournament, too, after two knee operations. The No. 1-ranked woman, Ash Barty, opted out because of the pandemic; in all, six of the top eight women withdrew.

FILE - In this Aug. 22, 2020, file photo, spectators wearing protective masks watch from the stands during the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament at Flushing Meadows in New York. In a year unlike any other, get ready for a U.S. Open unlike any other. There are dozens of “social distance ambassadors” tasked with making sure players and others are covering their mouths and noses and staying far enough apart.(AP PhotoFrank Franklin II, File)

“The field’s a little weaker than normal,” Fritz said, “so there’s always an opportunity for a couple of people to step up.”

That’s not to say all of the star power is gone.

Williams renews her bid for a record-tying 24th Grand Slam singles title. The woman who beat her in the final two years ago, Naomi Osaka, is also entered.

Djokovic didn’t make up his mind about going until about a week before flying to New York. He’s won five of the past seven Grand Slam trophies to get to 17, gaining on Federer’s men’s-record total of 20 and Nadal’s count of 19.

“It is definitely strange not to have Federer and Nadal -- at least one of them,” Djokovic said. “They will be missed, without a doubt, because they are who they are, legends of our sport.”

Something else absent: a strong sense of where anyone's game stands.

That’s because of the lack of competition, even if there were various unsanctioned exhibition matches around the world (No. 2 Dominic Thiem, took that to an extreme, playing 28).

Riley Opelka, a 22-year-old based in Florida who is ranked 39th, offered this take on exhibitions: “We’re professional players. We play for money, at the end of the day. So when there’s a big check on the line ... and there’s more incentives to win -- there’s rankings, there’s points -- it’s different.”

As it happens, there's a little less cash on offer over the coming two weeks.

The loss of ticket sales and hospitality suites -- which were turned over to seeded players -- along with revenue sources such as merchandise or food and beverage contributed to a 6.7% decline in overall player compensation.

The singles champions will take home $3 million each, down from $3.85 million last year.

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Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka became the first player to defect from LIV Golf, a significant blow to the Saudi-funded league that raises questions whether the PGA Tour will find a way for him to return.

LIV Golf posted an announcement to its website under a statement that Talor Gooch is the new captain of the Smash team that Koepka had led.

Scott O'Neil, the new CEO of LIV, said Koepka and LIV “amicably and mutually agreed” that Koepka will no longer compete after the 2025 season.

“Brooks is prioritizing the needs of his family and staying closer to home,” O'Neil said. “We appreciate the significant impact he has had on the game and wish him continued success, both on and off the course.”

The PGA Tour policy banning players who have joined the rival league requires them to sit out for one year from their last participation. Koepka began his career on the European tour and would have access to play there.

LIV ended its season on Aug. 24.

The PGA Tour, while not offering any substance, took the rare step of acknowledging the move involving a player no longer a member.

“Brooks Koepka is a highly accomplished professional, and we wish him and his family continued success,” the tour said in a statement. “The PGA Tour continues to offer the best professional golfers the most competitive, challenging and lucrative environment in which to pursue greatness.”

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

FILE - Brooks Koepka, of the United States, acknowledges the crowd on the 5th green during the first round of the British Open golf championship at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland, July 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison, File)