US Open 2021: Fans back, some stars out, line judges leave

Grand Slam event in New York is the first tennis major allowing fans at full capacity for the full two weeks since the Australian Open in January-February 2020.

Nick Kyrgios, of Australia, tosses a tennis ball before serving to Andrey Rublev, of Russia, during the third round of the US Open tennis tournament in New York. The first round of the 2021 renewal begins today

Daniil Medvedev can offer a unique perspective on Tennis' US Open spectators: During his run to the final two years ago, he transformed from a “hated villain” who taunted the paying customers to a “fan favorite” backed by raucous support from some of those same folks.

So the second-seeded Russian, twice a Grand Slam runner-up, is as eager as anyone to see what things will be like Monday night when he steps into Arthur Ashe Stadium on Day 1 of the tournament.