In this Sept 9, 2018 photo, Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, reacts after breaking the serve of Juan Martin del Potro, of Argentina, during the men's final of the US Open tennis tournament, in New York. (ADAM HUNGER / AP)

BELGRADE/TORONTO - World number one Novak Djokovic will compete at the Aug 31-Sept 13 US Open and the Western & Southern Open curtain-raiser, the winner of 17 Grand Slam titles said in a statement on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Bianca Andreescu said on Thursday she will not defend her title at the US Open in New York as the COVID-19 pandemic has compromised her ability to reach her highest level of form.

The US Open will be the first Grand Slam event to be held since the COVID-19 pandemic threw the season into chaos

Djokovic's decision will come as good news for the US Open organisers after several high-profile players, including former winners Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka, pulled out over issues related to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

But it is also a U-turn from Djokovic after his June statements that competing at the 2020 US Open would be “impossible” due to “extreme” COVID-19 protocols for the tournament at Flushing Meadows.

ALSO READ: Nadal to skip US Open while Djokovic leads men's field

“I am happy to confirm that I will participate at the Western & Southern Open and US Open this year,” the 33-year old Serb said.

“It was not an easy decision to make with all the obstacles and challenges on so many sides, but the prospect of competing again makes me really excited.

“I am aware that this time around it will be very different with all the protocols and safety measures that are put in place to protect players and the people of New York.”

Andreescu, who has not competed since she suffered a knee injury last October at the WTA Finals in Shenzhen, joins a growing list of high-profile players to pull out of the Aug 31-Sept 13 event.

“After many discussions with those closest to me, I have made the difficult decision not to return to New York this year,” said the 20-year-old Canadian, who beat Serena Williams last year to become Canada’s first tennis Grand Slam singles champion.

“I have taken this step in order to focus on my match fitness and ensure that I return ready to play at my highest level.”

World number six Andreescu is the latest top-10 player on the women’s side to skip the US Open, joining Australian Ash Barty (one), Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina (five) and Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens (seven).

In this Oct 30, 2019 photo, Bianca Andreescu of Canada hits a return against Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic during their women's singles match at the WTA Finals tennis tournament in Shenzhen. (NOEL CELIS / AFP)

Djokovic and three other players contracted the coronavirus at the Serb’s Adria Tour event in June, with the first leg being held at his tennis centre in Belgrade and the second in Croatia’s coastal city Zadar.

Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov tested positive ahead of the Zadar leg final, which was scrapped as a result, with Djokovic, his compatriot Viktor Troicki and Croatian Borna Coric also testing positive shortly afterwards.

The remaining two legs in Bosnia and Montenegro wee cancelled and Djokovic resumed training in Belgrade and more recently at the Spanish resort of Marbella after his second COVID-19 test came back negative.

“I have trained hard with my team and got my body in shape so I am ready to adapt to new conditions,” Djokovic added on Thursday.

“I have done all the check-ups to make sure I am fully recovered and I am ready to get back on court fully committed to playing my best tennis.

READ MORE: Djokovic, Nadal and Serena enter US Open tune-up

“I appreciate everyone taking time, effort and energy to organise these two events for the tennis players to go back to their working field.”

The US Open will be the first Grand Slam event to be held since the COVID-19 pandemic threw the season into chaos, with this year’s Wimbledon cancelled while the French Open has been rescheduled for a Sept 27-Oct 11 slot.