Won’t cross paths at US Open

with first-round play beginning on Monday at Flushing Meadows, the ramifications of that contest still reverberate, including this: Ramos will not officiate matches involving Serena Williams or her older sister, Venus.

‘‘We’ve decided that there are over 900 other matches and Carlos, for 2019, will not be in the chair for a Williams sisters match,’’ US Tennis Association chief executive Stacey Allaster said. ‘‘We want the attention of the competition to be on the athletes.’’

Among the key storylines that carry over: Serena Williams, also the runner-up at Wimbledon each of the past two years, is trying to equal Margaret Court’s mark for most major singles championships. Osaka, who added her second slam title at the Australian Open in January, returns to New York ranked No 1 – and dealing with knee discomfort that forced her withdrawal from a tune-up tournament last week.

What’s more, tennis is filled with ongoing discussions and debates about such matters as the proper role of chair umpires, the way the code of conduct is constructed and, maybe above all, whether in-match coaching should be permitted everywhere.

On that last subject, there are those who would like to see it, such as the USTA itself or Williams’ coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, who acknowledged right after last year’s final that he was attempting to communicate with his player and also noted, correctly, that surreptitious coaching happens all the time and goes unpunished.

Says Mouratoglou: ‘‘I have never understood why tennis is just about the only sport in which coaching during matches is not allowed.’’

There are others, such as Roger Federer who think it goes against the very fabric of the game. Says Federer: ‘‘I’m of the opinion that we shouldn’t have coaching in tennis. It’s what actually makes our sport unique.’’

‘‘We want the attention of the competition to be on the athletes.’’ Stacey Allaster, USTA