The U.S. Open kicks off on Monday, and for the first time the roar of the fans will not be heard.

Because of the pandemic, tennis players will play in an empty stadium. All spectators were banned from the Billie Jean King National tennis Center, one of several measures meant to protect players and staff during the pandemic.

But some of the biggest names in tennis will not be playing in Queens this year. That includes past champions Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Stand Wawrinka.

Nadal, who won the grand slam last year in Flushing Meadows, announced on social media earlier this month that he would not be participating in the tennis tournament because of concerns about the coronavirus.

On the women’s side -- numbers one and two in the world Ashleigh Barty and Simona Halep will also be absent. As will defending champion, Bianca Andreescu.

Men's defending champ Novak Djokovic will be playing. Serena and Venus Williams will also both be playing.

During the height of the pandemic, the U.S. Open was turned into a field hospital to help alleviate the surge of patients going to Elmhurst Hospital.