The US Open tournament is the first major event of the year for tennis since the global coronavirus outbreak disrupted the sport.
This year’s tournament at Flushing Meadows in New York City will be very different from the events of the past. There will be no spectators in the stands and not all the best athletes in the world will participate for fear of contracting the virus.
Canadian Bianca Andreescu, winner of last year’s tournament, will not participate due to illness. Australian star Ash Barty is also not attending the event due to health problems.
Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka will play. Williams is on the hunt for her 24th Grand Slam singles title and Osaka will look to continue her streak of dominance in the sport despite leaving the recent Western & Southern Open with injury.
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Here’s what else you need to know about the women’s side of the singles tournament.
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WHERE IS IT: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, NY
WHEN: Aug. 31-Sept. 13
BAG: $ 53.4 million
TV: ESPN
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LAST FIVE WINNERS
2019: BIANCA ANDREESCU
Bianca Andreescu became the first woman from the north of the border to win the US Open. She eliminated Serena Williams in two sets. It was the second consecutive appearance for Williams.
2018: NAOMI OSAKA
Naomi Osaka won her first US Open title tournament in 2018. She knocked out Williams in two sets.
2017: SLOANE STEPHENS
Sloane Stephens took her first major title in 2017. Stephens defeated fellow American Madison Keys.
2016: ANGELIQUE KERBER
Angelique Kerber needed three sets to overtake Karlina Pliskova. That year was Kerber’s second Grand Slam title.
2015: FLAVIA PENNETTA
Flavia Pennetta defeated Roberta Vinci in an all-Italian clash. It was his first major title and he landed a three-year streak in which Williams won the tournament.