In yet another blow for the Miami Open fans and organizers, Serena Williams has decided to skip over the Miami Open tournament in wake of recent oral surgery.
The dreaded news comes just days after Novak Djokovic’s decision to pull out of the Masters 1000 event. Serena now joins the likes of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal as the stars who have backed out of the event.
Williams, who lives in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, has won the event a record eight times, most recently in 2015.
Serena’s quest to 24th slam-
Serena Williams’ last match was against the eventual Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka against whom she fell in the semi-finals and thus yet again extending Serena’s agonising wait for the 24th Grand slam title.Now approaching 40,it seems that time is a raring commodity for the American legend.
Expectedly,Serena is picking and choosing the tournaments in which she needs to play in order to prolong her already quite long and illustrious career.
Also read No Big Three in Miami: Djokovic joins Rafa and Federer in skipping the Miami Open 2021
That coupled with recent dental surgery and it seems hardly a surprise that she has decided to withdraw from her home masters 1000 event.
“I am disappointed to withdraw from the Miami Open because of recent oral surgery,” Williams said in a statement.
“Miami is a special tournament for me because it’s my home.I am sad I won’t be able to see the incredible fans this year, but I look forward to coming back soon.”she added.
An open field in Miami-
While Serena won’t be present in Miami,other 19 of the top 20 WTA players would be there to battle it out for the prestigious trophy.
Reigning champion and World No.1 Ashleigh Barty, Australian Open champion and World No.2 Naomi Osaka, No.3 Simona Halep, No.4 Sofia Kenin, and No.9 Bianca Andreescu will all be returning to action for the first time since Australia.
In the men’s section, Daniil Medvedev would look to continue his stratospheric rise and close in the gap between himself and Novak Djokovic.
The three-time Masters 1000 winner will be joined by Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, Diego Schwartzman and Matteo Berrettini.
The tournament has also awarded a wild card to former World No. 1 and two time champion Andy Murray, as well as rising talents including #NextGenATP Carlos Alcaraz, Michael Mmoh, Hugo Gaston, and Jack Draper.
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