Serena Williams confirms in a shocking announcement that she will not participate in the Australian Open “following advice from her medical team.”
Competing in multiple Australian Open tournaments, her first one dating back to 2003 – the seven-time women’s singles champion was not on the entry list that was released on Wednesday for this year’s tournament.
“Following the advice of my medical team, I have decided to withdraw from this year’s Australian Open,” Williams said in a statement.
“While this is never an easy decision to make, I am not where I need to be physically to compete.”
The news comes following Craig Tiley, the CEO of the Australian Open, stating last month that the tennis star likely would be playing at Melbourne Park for the tournament.
Serena Williams was not on the entry list that was released on Wednesday for the Australian Open tennis tournament, claiming she is not where she needs to be “physically” to compete.Getty Images
Since retiring from her opening-round match at Wimbledon due to a hamstring injury, Williams has not made an appearance on the WTA tour – dropping her rank down to No. 41. New York Post.