Melbourne, Dec 8, 2018 : Serena Williams, former World number one, has withdrawn from the Australian Open 2022.This was after receiving advice from the medical team. Serena, a seven time winner of the Australian Open, said that she was not able to compete at the first Grand Slam in the upcoming season.
“While this is not an easy decision, I am not where my body needs me to compete.
While I will miss the fans, I am excited to return to my best level.
“Melbourne is a city I love to visit, and I look forward every year to playing at the AO.” Serena said that although I will miss the fans, she is excited to return and compete at her highest level.
In 2021, Serena was a semifinalist and defeated Simona Halep and Aryna Sabalenka before losing to eventual champion Naomi Osaka.
She was sidelined by a left knee injury until this year’s clay season.She was a 23-time Grand Slam champion and reached the fourth round at Roland Garros, but she was forced to retire six games into her first round Wimbledon match with Aliaksandra Ssnovich.She currently ranks World No.41.
Bianca Andreescu, former champion of the US Open, explained her decision to leave the Australian Open via Twitter on Tuesday.
“Hi everyone.”Hi everyone.As you all know, these past two years have been very difficult for me for a variety reasons,” Andreescu wrote.
“I spent several weeks in isolation quarantining this year, which was very difficult for me – both mentally as well as physically.My grandmother, who had a COVID infection, spent several weeks in ICU.This really hurt me.
“A lot of days, it was difficult to feel like myself, especially when I was training or playing matches.I felt like the whole world was on my shoulders.She said that she couldn’t separate myself from the turmoil and sadness around the court.
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