Six-time champion Serena Williams has pulled out of the 2021 US Open at Flushing Meadows due to a torn hamstring….
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Serena Williams withdraws from the 2021 US Open
Serena Williams (Adam Davy/PA Wire/PA Images)
Six-time champion Serena Williams has pulled out of the 2021 US Open at Flushing Meadows due to a torn hamstring.
The 39-year-old sustained the injury at Wimbledon and was forced to retire midway through the first set in her opening match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
She has not competed in any event since and has now taken the decision to withdraw from the season’s final Grand Slam in New York.
Williams posted on Instagram: “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.
“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 on from afar.
“Thank you for your continued love and support. I’ll see you soon.”
Williams has claimed US Open glory in 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2014, with her six-title haul a joint record in the Open Era.
The 23-time major winner reached the Semi-Finals at Flushing Meadows last year, losing out to Victoria Azarenka.
She is now ranked world number 22 but looks set to drop further down the rankings in the coming months.
Serena Williams joins reigning men’s champion Dominic Thiem, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in pulling out of this year’s US Open.
It will be the first time in 24 years since neither Federer, Nadal or Serena Williams featured in the main draw of a Grand Slam singles event.
