In most sports, teams change sides after halftime. In tennis, the players change continents and surfaces. The last time we saw the game’s biggest names gathered in one place was on the grass at Wimbledon in July. Starting Monday, after a month-long, mid-season break, they’ll get back together on hard courts in North America.
With that shift will come a new set of story lines. Here’s a look ahead at how the mens’ will begin, with the draw in Montreal.
And if you’re wondering why one of those big names, Roger Federer, won’t join the journey to the U.S. Open until next week in Cincinnati, here’s a rundown of the likely reasons why from my friend Tom Tebbutt.