Serena Williams is the latest star to withdraw from next week’s tournament in Cincinnati, with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic already out.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion pulled out along with sister Venus Williams and last year’s Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin. The former world No 1 has not played since retiring injured in her first round match at Wimbledon, where she slipped on the grass and hurt her leg.
Williams announced that her right leg injury had still not recovered but hinted that she would make a return for the US Open, saying she’d be back on court “very soon”.
“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,” the two-time Cincinnati champion 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.”
Her withdrawal comes as Rafael Nadal’s Cincinnati hopes have also been thrown into doubt, with the Spaniard withdrawing from the ongoing Canada Open last night.
The world No 4 returned to action last week in Washington, having been sidelined by a left foot injury that kept him out of Wimbledon and the Olympics.
After a third-round loss to Lloyd Harris, he flew to Toronto to compete in the National Bank Open but pulled out ahead of his opening clash against the South African who beat him last week.
Nadal said he was hoping the injury would improve when he came to Canada but admitted he is not able to compete at the level he needs.
It raises questions as to whether the 20-time Grand Slam champion will be ready for next week’s Western & Southern Open, where long-time rivals Djokovic and Federer have already pulled out.