Serena Williams announces her withdrawal from next year’s Australian Open
World number four Serena Williams has announced her withdrawal from the next year’s opening Grand Slam, the Australian Open in Melbourne on Wednesday. The professional tennis ace from the United States of America is still struggling to recover from her foot
injury, which has sidelined her since July.
The former World number one injured her right foot after winning the grass court Grand Slam crown at the All England Club and has failed to recover since then.
“As I continue to rehabilitate my foot after the second surgery last month, it is with the utmost regret that I am withdrawing from the Hopman Cup and the 2011 Australian Open Championships", reflected the thirteen time Grand Slam singles winner in a statement
on Wednesday.
The 29-year old Williams has not played competitively since getting the better of her Russian foe Vera Zvonareva in the final at Wimbledon back in July.
"As I recently learned, pushing myself back into my intense training too early only caused me further injury and damage. While I desperately want to be back on the court and competing in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, it is imperative for my
health that I continue to work with my doctors to ensure my foot heals properly”, added Williams.
The director of the Australian Open tournament, Craig Tiley while commenting on Serena’s recent announcement of withdrawal wished her a quick recovery. He said that it must be a difficult decision for the Florida resident to pull out of the next year’s Australian
Open, which has always been one of her favourite competitions on the tour.
The 1.78 meters tall Williams, who made her debut on the WTA tour back in 1995, is regarded as one of the greatest female tennis contenders of all time in a career hampered by a couple of injuries one after the other. She has been ranked as high as number
one on five different occasions so far in her career. Williams became the number one player on the very first occasion back in 2002.
The Saginaw born is a true champion without any question and everyone will miss her at the Australian Open in January.
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