Serena Williams’ comeback from injury delayed, but American ‘plans to be back on court very soon’

Serena Williams won’t feature at next week’s Western & Southern Open as she is still recovering from the injury she picked up at Wimbledon. The 23-time Grand Slam winner has not played competitive tennis since a freak injury forced her to retire from her first-round match on Centre Court at SW19 at the beginning of July.

Williams slipped and injured her left ankle and, although she played a few more points following a treatment, she threw in the towel. The 39-year-old was expected to return in Ohio next week, but revealed in a statement that she is still not fully fit.

“Unfortunately, I will not be playing in the Western & Southern Open next week as I am still in recovery from my leg injury at Wimbledon,” she said.

“I will miss all of my fans in Cincinnati whom I look forward to seeing every summer. I plan to be back on the court very soon.”

Two more big names joined the list of withdrawals as Serena’s sister and seven-time major winner Venus Williams as well as 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin also pulled out of the WTA 1000 event.