One-time French Open champion Roger Federer joined three-time winner Serena Williams on the sidelines on Monday, opting to focus on the grass and hardcourt seasons while Williams is out expecting her first child.

The news guarantees the first major tournament in nearly 20 years to feature neither player, who have won a combined 41 Grand Slam titles.

Back in 1997, a Swiss star and a Williams were still battling for major titles - only it was on the same court as Martina Hingis blitzed Serena's Venus in a battle of teenagers to win the US Open.

Hingis came to the newly-built Arthur Ashe Stadium having won two of the last three major tournaments, narrowly missing out on the opportunity for a Calendar Year Grand Slam after falling in the French Open final to Iva Majoli.

The 16-year-old Swiss Miss rolled into her first US Open final without dropping a set before knocking out Venus in her first major final.

Hingis went on to finish 1997 season as World No.1 after winning three of the four majors and 12 titles in 10 months - a feat that hasn't been matched since.