American legend Martina Navratilova says this year's US Open titles will not be devalued by the absence of several top players in New York.
A host of star names, including defending champions Rafael Nadal and Bianca Andreescu, are not playing because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Grand Slam event starts at Flushing Meadows on Monday.
"I won't view the winners differently, there won't be an asterisk," said Navratilova, who won 18 Slam singles.
"We know in the long term that 2020 is different but everybody is in the same situation and we will see who makes the most of it.