Preps for the 1st major grand slam tennis event since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic are underway in New York

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SHOWS: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES. (RECENT)(USTA-ACCESS ALL)

1. AERIAL OF UNITED STATES TENNIS CENTER

2. NOVAK DJOKOVIC ARRIVING AT TENNIS CENTER

3. UNIDENTIFIED PLAYER ARRIVING AT TENNIS CENTER

4. FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME ARRIVING AT TENNIS CENTER

5. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE PLAYER ARRIVING

6. SHOT OF SIGN SAYING "HELP US KEEP THE BUBBLE SAFE" (MUTE)

7. SIGN SAYING "PLEASE WASH AND SANITIZE YOUR HANDS BEFROE ENTERING"

8. (SOUNDBITE)(English) DR BERNARD CAMIS, USTA MEDICAL ADVISORY GROUP, SAYING

"So everyone who comes into our "Bubble" at least twice, 4 days apart, between when they show up and then every four days. The reason for the frequency of testing

is that we need to account for the incubation period potentially of two to four days that they would have been exposed that the first test would not have caught and so the second one is done to cover the two to four days immediately showing up to our hotel."

9. WHITE FLASH

10.(SOUNDBITE)(English) STACEY ALLASTER, USTA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF PROFESSIONAL TENNIS SAYING

"For those that have joined us. They're excited. They're happy to be here.They're happy to be back and everyone's doing their part as a tennis community to keep everyone healthy and safe."

11. WHITE FLASH

12.(SOUNDBITE)(English) STACEY ALLASTER, USTA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF PROFESSIONAL TENNIS SAYING

"The players themselves are incredibly happy. I think they are surprised by the experience that they have within the official hotels and the ease of everything and then when they come onsite with no fans on site they have the site all to them and so last night a few of them were saying 'We like this. What is it going to be like in future years?'

We're using all the great facilities that we have here at the USTA Billie-Jean King Tennis Center. More outdoor dining. More lounge spaces and I think the players, thus far, are really enjoying their experience."

10. WORKERS COVERING EMPTY SEATS

11. WORKERS ERECTING TEMPORARY WALL

12. MORE PLAYER ARRIVALS

STORY: U.S. Open organisers said they are happy with the slate of competitors for this year's tournament, despite numerous dropouts by high-profile names amid the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. One of tennis' four Grand Slams and the crown jewel of the U.S. tennis calendar, the U.S. Open usually attracts the world's greatest players to Flushing Meadows every year.

This year, however, several of the sport's top athletes have dropped out of the 2020 campaign, including defending champions Bianca Andreescu and Rafa Nadal, and world number 1 Ash Barty and fellow Australian Nick Kyrgios.

The hard court tournament, which begins Aug. 31, will be held without fans and with safety measures in place to mitigate the risks associated with playing in the COVID-19 era. Due to the pandemic the Western & Southern Open, typically held in Ohio, is being played at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center this year as a lead-up to the U.S. Open.

Those have been tested before traveling to the United States and one or two times per week at both events, along with daily temperature checks.

Organisers said approximately most of players are already either in town or in the tournament bubble.

(Production: Peter Bullock)