Serena Williams Confirms She Won’t Compete in Australian Open

Serena Williams is bowing out of the Australian Open after an announcement. The iconic tennis player confirmed she will not be playing because she is “following the advice of my medical team.”

Many suspected her absence since she withdrew from her first match in Wimbledon due to a right hamstring injury earlier this year. She has competed in multiple Australian Open tournaments, however, her name was missing on the list this year.

The Grand Slam champion says, “Following the advice of my medical team, I have decided to withdraw from this year’s Australian Open.”

She continues, “While this is never an easy decision to make, I am not where I need to be physically to compete. Melbourne is one of my favorite cities to visit and I look forward to playing at the AO every year. I will miss seeing the fans, but am excited to return and compete at my highest level.”

The full statement is on the Australian Open tournaments website.

All our love, @serenawilliams 💙

Come back stronger 💪 #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/HrrG1FFILF

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) December 8, 2021

Williams shares one daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., with husband Alexis Ohanian. According to The New York Post, “Williams, who holds more Grands Slam singles titles (23) than any other woman, or man, will only need one more to match Margaret Court’s record with 24.”