Williams and Henin retract from 2010 U.S. Open
Unfortunately, the U.S. Open this year will not feature world no. 1 Serena Williams and Belgium’s top seed Justine Henin as the professionals officially withdrew from the tournament.
Upon making it to the fourth round at the 2010 Wimbledon Championship held in June this year, Henin ended up with a severe arm injury.
In the words of the sportswoman, she took a number of medical examinations following her fall at the championship. Apparently, according to the test results, Henin fractured a ligament in the elbow of her right arm.
She also stated that the injury will keep her out from tennis for as long as two months. Additionally, the athlete exclaimed that she would sadly, be incapable of making an appearance at the U.S. Open this year.
Justine’s injury also caused her to miss out on the 2010 Best of Belgian event that went on in July. America’s Serena Williams replaced Henin and faced Belgian’s Kim Clijsters. The match set a world record for the biggest number of spectators for a game of tennis.
Right after announcing her withdrawal from the Best of Belgian, Henin said that the complimentary medical examinations that will be taken in duration of four weeks, will give her certainty about the end of the season.
Furthermore, Henin stated that she was aware of the fact that she’d have to be patient, as the healing process is taking time. She also thanked her fans and fellow sportspeople for their love and support.
The first scheduled tournament for Justine is the 2011 Hopman Cup which is to begin in Perth, Western Australia, on the 1st of January. Hopefully, the former world no. 1 will be able to pull up her rankings by performing well next year.
The 2010 Wimbledon Championship was as calamitous for Serena Williams as it was for Justine Henin. Shortly after bagging her fourth Wimbledon title, Williams accidentally cut her foot on broken glass at a restaurant.
Williams defeated Russia’s Vera Zvonareva 6-3 and 6-2, in straight sets to win the championship. However, according to the Women’s Tennis Association tour, her recent foot injury put her in doubt for the 2010 U.S. Open.
According to tour spokesman Andrew Walker, the three time U.S. Open winner is questionable for the final grand slam tournament of the year.
Dismally in the year 2009, Williams was unable to defend her 2008 U.S. Open title. The sportswoman was disqualified from the semi-finals as she lashed out at a lineswoman for calling a foot fault on her serve.
Serena was also made to miss the World Team Tennis season with her team, namely the Washington Kastles. The team stated that the cut on William’s right foot required stitches.
Prior to confirmation, William’s stated that she was doing better via her account on Twitter. Using the same source, she also said that she couldn’t wait to get out of bed and rock the courts. Serena’s mother, Oracene also exclaimed on twitter that she didn’t have any time to herself as Serena was being a ‘baby’.
“Missing the tournament at Flushing Meadows this year was one of the most devastating moments of my career,” said Serena.
After undergoing surgery in July, this is the first time that Williams will be missing a grand slam since 2006.
The sportswoman said that she was deeply saddened and frustrated to have had to pull out of the U.S. Open as her doctors didn’t think it was advisable for her to play.
She also stated that grand slams are her life and soul and that she would miss it more than anyone could ever imagine.
According to U.S. Open organizers, the tournament is mostly about participants and on-court competition. Even though Serena will be missed, the show must go on.
They also stated that this year’s tournament will be a memorable one, as it has been every year. However, Williams’ and Henin’s fans probably think otherwise.
Tags: