The big names will be in action on Monday at the Western and Southern Open as 2018 champion and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic takes the court along with two-time champion Serena Williams on a day that is jam-packed with top stars.
If you’re scoring at home, Williams (23) and Djokovic (17) own a combined 40 major singles titles between them, and both are eager to build momentum for next week’s US Open by kicking off the 2020 restart with a deep run in New York City.
As the tournament is staged in New York this year, it's not just the fans that miss their annual visit to Mason, OH, Serena and her adorable daughter Olympia, also look forward to their annual trip to Ohio.
“The biggest difference is that it's in New York, and I miss the amusement park in Cincinnati,” Williams said at media day on Thursday, via virtual press conference. “My daughter loves going there. I like going there, too. We have a really good time.”
The 38-year-old American, who is 22-5 lifetime at Cincinnati with titles in 2014 and 2015, will square off with Dutch qualifier Arantxa Rus in the second match on Grandstand (this year’s main show court) on Monday.
Djokovic will face Lithuanian qualifier Ricardas Berankis in Grandstand’s fourth match on Monday. The World No.1 is currently riding a 21-match winning streak that dates back to his appearance at last year’s Davis Cup Finals.
Djokovic and Williams are the biggest names on the ticket on Monday but there will be plenty more top-notch talent to watch.
Both 2019 Western and Southern Open singles champions will take the court on Monday, with men’s singles champion Daniil Medvedev opening with American qualifier Marcos Giron and women’s singles champion Madison Keys facing Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur.
“It's definitely strange to be defending my Cincinnati title not on Cincinnati courts, which hopefully we don't ever have to worry about again,” Keys told reporters. “I'm just really happy I am able to come back and defend my title no matter where in the world it is. Very happy to be back playing tennis and playing competitively.”
Medvedev, who defeated David Goffin for the title after taking out Djokovic in the semi-final in 2019 in Cincinnati, says he is simply thrilled to be back on the court again.
“It's a long time that I didn't compete,” he said. “I didn't play any exhibitions. So I'm happy to be here, happy to see where my game is at.”
Former champion Andy Murray will also be in action against Germany’s Alexander Zverev on Grandstand.
Naomi Osaka, Petra Kvitova and Dominic Thiem will be in action on Court 17, while rising Canadians Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime will be featured back to back in the first two matches on Court No. 10.
See Monday’s full order of play here.
Be sure to tune-in on Tennis Channel from 11a.m. - 9p.m. and ESPN2 7p.m. - 9p.m.