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Serena Williams has withdrawn from next week’s US Open because of a torn hamstring.
The former world No.1 said on Wednesday the injury had not completely healed ahead of the final grand slam of the year.
“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 wrote in a statement on Instagram.
“New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world and one of my favourite places to play – I’ll miss seeing the fans but will be cheering everyone from afar.”
Serena Williams will miss the 2021 US Open due to injury.
Get well soon, @serenawilliams! ? pic.twitter.com/ySXuuCRmPu
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 25, 2021
A six-time winner at Flushing Meadows, Williams is the latest big name to pull out of the tournament after reigning men’s champion Dominic Thiem and four-time winner Rafa Nadal ended their 2021 season due to injuries.
Williams’ withdrawal leaves her stranded on 23 grand slam titles, one less than the all-time record set by Australian Margaret Court.
The main draw of the US Open gets under way in New York on Monday.
The 2021 US Open will be the first Grand Slam event without Serena Williams, Roger Federer, or Rafael Nadal in the main singles draw since the 1997 US Open.
End of an era.#USOpen
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 25, 2021
-Reuters