USTA still planning for US Open to begin on Aug. 31

One of the biggest tennis tournaments in the United States is set to begin at the end of the summer, and the USTA reportedly is moving ahead with its plans to play the US Open beginning on Aug. 31, according to ESPN's Peter Bodo.

The ATP and WTA have "embraced" the plan, Bodo adds citing sources, and it appears the USTA will make an announcement regarding the US Open once they get the green light from health officials in New York. 

"We're following each step in the [restart] procedure in the great hope that we can announce that the 2020 US Open will be played in its regularly scheduled date," Chris Widmaier, the USTA's director of communications, told ESPN. "We hope to make an announcement in the very near future."

When the tournament begins, various health protocols will be in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, and players will have many restrictions to follow while they compete. No fans will be allowed to attend, but it will be televised.

While many are planning to compete at the US Open, tennis great Novak Djokovic is unsure if he'll participate in the event because he believes restrictions put on players are "extreme." He also would like to prepare for the French Open, which is set to take place in September.

The U.S. and French Opens are scheduled to take place back-to-back, so it's no surprise Djokovic would rather spend his time preparing for matches closer to his native country.

Tennis matches are set to resume on Aug. 3 with the Citi Open followed by the Rogers Cup on Aug. 10.