Top seeds Serena, Djokovic getting healthy

NEW YORK — Serena Williams is “starting to feel a little better.” Novak Djokovic is “getting there.”

The U.S. Open’s top seeds in both singles brackets — determined in Friday’s draw — are coming off injuries, and neither has played since an early loss at the Olympics. Friday was the first time either had discussed the health problems that stymied them in Rio de Janeiro and forced them to withdraw from the Western & Southern Open.

For Williams, it’s a sore right shoulder that started bothering her after her Wimbledon victory.

For Djokovic, it’s a sore left wrist hurt in Rio a few days before his first-round Olympic loss to Juan Martin del Potro.

Both face former Grand Slam semifinalists in the first round. Williams opens her bid for a record-breaking 23rd major title against Ekaterina Makarova, who’s coming off an Olympic doubles gold medal. The Russian made two straight major semis — the 2014 U.S. Open and 2015 Australian Open.

Djokovic will face Jerzy Janowicz, a 2013 Wimbledon semifinalist. Rafael Nadal is a potential semifinal opponent for Djokovic, the defending champ. Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka are in the other half of the bracket.

Williams could face fourthseeded Agnieszka Radwanska in the semis, which is also when she could meet sister Venus. Australian Open champ Angelique Kerber and French Open winner Garbine Muguruza are on the other side of the draw.

Novak Djokovic is recovering from an injured left wrist.