⁍ This year’s U.S. Open will be the first fanless Grand Slam since the coronavirus outbreak.

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⁍ Even top contenders admit that the unprecedented new hush will take some getting used to.

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⁍ Flushing Meadows fans are notoriously raucous — by tennis standards, at least — as thousands of them usually pack into the sprawling Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

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⁍ For world number six Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has never made it past the second round and into the spotlight of a night match on Arthur Ashe Stadium, the change in atmosphere is difficult to swallow.

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– For the first time in more than a century, the US Open will have no fans in the stands when it begins on Monday, the New York Times reports. This year’s tournament is being held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, which is less than half the size of last year’s Ashe Stadium, due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, which has sickened more than 100 people in the US and dozens more around the world. Players and officials say the decision to have no spectators in the stands is being made in the best interest of preventing the spread of the disease, which causes vomiting and fever and is spread through the air, according to Reuters. Players say it will be hard for them to get used to the lack of fans. “I’m just going to have to face the situation as is and play, not having that atmosphere be part of the tennis this year,” says world No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has never made it past the second round at a night match on Arthur Ashe Stadium. “It’s like a dream for everyone, to play a night session match on Arthur Ashe. It’s been a dream of mine since forever. We won’t have the opportunity this year. I’m just going to have to face the situation as is and play, not having that atmosphere be part of the tennis this year.”