The WTA tour is coming to Cincinnati this week, after Camila Giorgi lifted the trophy in Montreal. The Western & Southern Open is the last Premier Five tournament before the start of the US Open. However, one of the most beloved players won’t be seen in action: Serena Williams.
The American, 39, will have another chance to try to win her 24th Grand Slam in New York, later in August. However, Williams hasn’t been seen in action since the end of June, when she had to retire from her first match round in Wimbledon.
Williams has won two times in Cincinnati (2014 and 2015) in her six appearances so far. Without her in the picture, though, the favorites this year are Naomi Osaka, who is returning to competition after losing in the Olympics, and No. 1 Ashleigh Barty.
Why isn’t Serena Williams in the Western & Southern Open?
At her first round match in Wimbledon, Williams slipped and fell, injuring her ankle. According to a press release from the organization, the 23-time Grand Slam champion said that the injury still bothers her.
“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. 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,” Serena said in the statement.
Williams is not the only star who is going to miss the Cincinnati Open. Also, her older sister Venus and Sofia Kenin have withdrawn. Kenin, who is 2019 semifinalist in Cincinnati, also is recovering from a foot injury.
