Serena Williams Withdraws From Australian Open Tuneup, Cites Shoulder Injury

Serena Williams shoulder injury: Just ahead of next week’s Grand Slam, Serena Williams pulls out of an Australian Open tuneup tournament on Friday.

The American sports star revealed that a right shoulder injury is bothering her. She has also withdrawn from the Yarra Valley Classic at Melbourne Park on Friday.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion, Williams was setting up a semifinal match against top-ranked Ash Barty today. "Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Yarra Valley Classic singles draw due to a right shoulder injury," the WTA posted on Twitter.

Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Yarra Valley Classic singles draw due to a right shoulder injury.

Ashleigh Barty advances to the final by walkover.

— wta (@WTA) February 5, 2021

Serena Williams shoulder injury makes Ashleigh Barty play finals  

This week was satisfying for Williams as on Thursday she reached the quarter-finals of the Yarra Valley Classic and won a straight-set match against Tsvetana Pironkova. She overcame fellow American Danielle Collins to set up a semi-final showdown.

The American was playing her first tournament since withdrawing from the French Open before her second-round match last October. She was suffering from an Achilles injury. 

Before withdrawing, Williams said she was looking forward to playing against Barty in the semifinals. “It’s definitely a good opportunity to see where I’m going against the current No. 1, that’s really important for me," Williams said. “Obviously I think for her, as well, to see where she’s going against my game.

“It’s been a long 12 months. Tennis has been played but not really, so ... hopefully, this is like a new year where things will be different," the mother of one added.

The 39-year-old is heading towards another Grand Slam next week. "Look forward to seeing you back on the court next week," the Australian Open said on its official Twitter account.

Feel better @serenawilliams. Look forward to seeing you back on court next week. https://t.co/4DxRGqMLKi

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 5, 2021

She had an impressive run at the US Open last year when she surpassed Chris Evert’s previous record for most singles wins in the history of the tournament, male or female. She won her 102nd US Open career match to break a tie with Evert for the most wins in the professional era.

Williams is now aiming for Margaret Court’s record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open

Seven-time Australian Open champion, Williams was ranked second in Forbes 2020 list of highest-paid female athletes.

Feature Image Credit: Yahoo