The high attrition rate on the men's tour at the moment means only one of the world's top six will be competing this week. That man is Rafael Nadal, who has proved surprisingly robust this year after the wrist-tendon tear that spoiled his 2016 season.
Nadal's reward for maintaining his structural integrity - as well as for utterly dominating the European clay-court swing - is that he will succeed Andy Murray as world No1 next week. It is the fourth time Nadal has been on top of the rankings, having already spent 141 weeks there. This will be the 11th time that the No 1 spot has changed hands between the members of the "Big Four" since Federer first occupied it on February 2, 2004.
Murray is among the big names sidelined by injury, although it is expected that he will try to play the US Open - which starts on August 28 - despite the chronic hip trouble he has been dealing with since the French Open.
Both Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka have already announced that they will not be appearing again in 2017, while the 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic is nursing a groin issue.
"It's just coincidence," said Nadal of the injury rush. "We're not 20 years old any more. It's part of our sport. I've been in their position lots of times. I've missed more events than the other players. I wish them all a speedy recovery. We need them in the game. I hope they get back soon."
The Spaniard will be No1 for the first time since July 6, 2014.
"It's been tough to get back to No1," he said. "I'm happy to have the chance to be in that position."
Cincinnati - a tournament which many players use as their final build-up event before the US Open - is also missing some of the leading women.
Maria Sharapova has pulled out with a forearm issue and Victoria Azarenka is absent because of personal problems. British No 1 Johanna Konta will be present, however, and is due to play either Oceane Dodin or Kiki Bertens in her opening match.
Meanwhile Timea Bacsinszky, the ex-French Open semifinalist, has announced that she will not play the US Open because of a thigh injury. And Bernard Tomic and Gael Monfils bailed on Cincinnati at the last minute yesterday, both citing illness.