New York (AFP)

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and his runner-up Rafael Nadal, as well as Serena Williams in the ladies, are among the entries in the preparation tournament for the US Open, from August 20 to 28 in New York, the organizers announced on Wednesday.

The WTA and ATP tournaments, usually played in Cincinnati but moved to New York due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will be played without spectators on the courts of Flushing Meadows where the US Open is due to start on August 31 under identical conditions.

Djokovic, holding Wimbledon and Australian Open titles, like his rival Nadal, who won at Roland Garros and the US Open last year, questioned the wisdom of organizing the American stage of the Grand Slam while the Covid-19 is still wreaking havoc in the United States.

New York and its surroundings were, however, able to contain the cases of contamination to a low level, after the outbreak of March-April, while Florida, Texas and California are among the most affected regions of a country totaling nearly 150,000 deaths.

The only absent from the ATP world top-10 are the Swiss Roger Federer (N.4), who ended his season with an injured knee, the Austrian Dominic Thiem (N.3) and the French Gaël Monfils (N.9).

On the other hand, the Russian Daniil Medvedev (N.5) will be there to defend a title won last year at the Cincinnati Central.

Among the women, Serena Williams, who confirmed her participation in the US Open as soon as the tournament was announced by the American Federation, is also engaged in the tournament in Lexington (Kentucky) in early August which should serve as preparation.

At almost 39 years old, the youngest Williams has not triumphed in a Grand Slam since the Australian Open in 2017.

The world top-6 will only be represented by the Czech Karolina Pliskova (N.3) and the American Sofia Kenin, surprise winner of the Australian Open in January.

Australian world No.1 Ashleigh Barty, crowned last year at Roland Garros, her Romanian runner-up Simona Halep, defending champion at Wimbledon, Ukrainian No.5 Elina Svitolina as well as US Open holder, the Canadian Bianca Andreescu, will not be present on August 20 at Flushing Meadows.

The American public will be able to follow the return of young rising star Coco Gauff, 16, and Madison Keys, who triumphed last year in Cincinnati.

© 2020 AFP