Serena Williams withdraws from 2021 US Open due to injury

Serena Williams has withdrawn from the 2021 US Open due to injury and will not play any part at Flushing Meadows this year.

Williams suffered a hamstring injury at Wimbledon which forced her to withdraw from her first-round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich and it seems that it is a bridge too far for the six-time champion to appear.

“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,” she wrote. “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 everyone on from afar.”  

As a result, she is the highest profile withdrawal so far from the confirmed entry list ahead of the draw on Thursday afternoon with the chance for her 24th equalling Grand Slam diminishing. Her next shot will likely be at the Australian Open.

There were doubts when Williams did not play any warm-up tournaments but had not withdrawn up until this point. The likes of Naomi Osaka, Ashleigh Barty and Bianca Andreescu among other will still lead the field in New York.