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US Open: What time is the draw ceremony for tennis tournament?

The women's and men's US Open trophies: Getty Images for USTA
The women's and men's US Open trophies: Getty Images for USTA

The US Open gets under way in New York this Sunday under very different circumstances to what fans of the sport are used to.

There will be no spectators in attendance at Flushing Meadows, and even some of the sport’s biggest stars will be missing.

Men’s defending champion Rafael Nadal pulled out of the major due to concerns over coronavirus, while last year’s women’s winner Bianca Andreescu admitted that the pandemic had compromised her ability to recover from injury in time for the tournament. Roger Federer will also miss the competition due to injury, while Nick Kyrgios cited the same reasons as Nadal upon announcing his withdrawal from the Grand Slam.

Last year’s women’s Wimbledon champion Simona Halep will not compete at Flushing Meadows, nor will world No1 Ashleigh Barty. Novak Djokovic is among those fighting for the men’s trophy, however, while Naomi Osaka is one of the top women’s players to still be involved – although her semi-final withdrawal at the Western & Southern Open this week, in protest of the killing of black American Jacob Blake by police, has cast some doubt over her participation. Six-time champion Serena Williams will seek to bounce back from a surprise early exit at the Western & Southern Open and better her last two efforts at the US Open – she was runner-up in 2018 and 2019.

Here’s everything you need to know about the US Open draw ceremony:

What time does the draw ceremony take place?

The draw will take place today (Thursday 27 August) at 12pm local time in New York, which is 5pm in the United Kingdom.

We'll be live blogging the ceremony here.

Who are the key names to look out for?

The favourite in the men’s draw will undoubtedly be Djokovic, who has lifted the trophy in New York three times – in 2011, 2015 and 2018. Last year’s runner-up Daniil Medvedev will look to go one better than he did 12 months ago, and three-time Grand Slam finalist Dominic Thiem will have a similar mindset.

2012 champion Andy Murray could be an outside bet, having returned to action after nine months away by notching impressive, back-to-back wins over Francis Tiafoe and Alexander Zverev at the Western & Southern Open this week. But whether or not his metal hip will hold up over the course of two weeks is another matter.

2018 women’s winner Osaka has a shot in the women’s draw, while Williams will be as motivated as anyone, having come up short in the last two finals.

Rafael Nadal, who won the men’s singles title last year, will not compete in New York (AP)
Rafael Nadal, who won the men’s singles title last year, will not compete in New York (AP)

When does the tournament begin?

The US Open starts on Sunday (31 August) and runs until 13 September, when the men’s final takes place.

The women’s final will be contested a day before, on 12 September.

How can I watch the action?

Viewers in the UK can stream the tournament on Amazon Prime Video, using a 30-day free trial or a subscription worth £7.99 per month.

No TV channel in the UK will be airing the competition.

In the United States, ESPN will be providing coverage of the US Open.

Read more

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