The Top Storylines Ahead of the 2016 US Open

It's a year of change for the U.S. Open, the last Grand Slam on the tennis calendar.A sparkling$150 million retractable roof now adorns Arthur Ashe Stadium, adding an extra dose of panache to this glitzy event. And that's not all. The newly built Grandstand Stadium boasts beautiful contours and an intimate environment that seats up to 8,125 fans.Beyond those renovations, there's also a shake-up with who'll be there this year. Notable players on the sideline include Maria Sharapova (suspension), Victoria Azarenka (pregnancy), Tomas Berdych (appendicitis) and reigning women's singles champion Flavia Pennetta, who retired at the end of 2015.But the biggest name not in attendance is Roger Federer, who'll miss the event for the first time since 1998 as he rehabilitates his ailing left knee.Without the sport's most iconic star, there'll be a hole that others will have to fill. Fortunately, there are several intriguing factors at this year's U.S. Open that can help mitigate Federer's loss.The battle for the No. 1 ranking is alive on both the men's and women's sides as Novak Djokovic tries to defend his title and Serena Williams goes after a couple more slices of history. Attempting to steal their thunder are Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber, two players who've had prosperous summers.Can they continue to shake up the hierarchy at the top of the game'Elsewhere, Monica Puig and Juan Martin del Potro are hungry to capitalize on their heroics at the Olympics. Both are unseeded, making them players who can cause early havoc.As the opening round draws near, the following slides will provide a deeper look at what to watch for in Flushing Meadows.Begin Slideshow
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