Serena Williams announced her withdrawal from the U.S. Open on Wednesday morning. Williams has not played since Wimbledon because of a hamstring injury and she was unable to recover in time for the season’s fourth a final Grand Slam.
“After careful consideration and following the advice of my doctors and medical team, I have decided to withdraw from the US Open to allow my body to heal completely from a torn hamstring,” Williams explained.
“We’ve done everything we could (to get ready),” Williams’ coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, commented. “It is heartbreaking, but this is the only possible decision.”
The 39-year-old American has been stuck on 23 Grand Slam singles titles since last triumphing a the 2017 Australian Open. She has reached at least the semifinals of at least one slam every year since then–including four finals.
Roger Federer (knee) and Rafael Nadal (foot) are also out of the 2021 festivities at Flushing Meadows. This marks the first time since 1997 that all three of those players have been absent from the U.S. Open. Willams has only missed it in 2003, 2010, and 2017 since her first appearance in 1998. Federer, who made his tournament debut in 1999, did not play in 2016 and 2020. Nadal debuted in 2003; he was also sidelined in 2012, 2014, and 2020.
could be the end for Serena
Venus is also out.