Serena Williams’s clay-court return delayed after Madrid withdrawal
Serena Williams has pushed back her competitive return on clay after withdrawing from the Madrid Open.
The 23-time Grand Slam winner has only played in two hard-court tournaments, the Indian Wells Masters and the Miami Open, since she made her comeback after more than a year out following the birth of her daughter Alexis Olympia.
She was expected to kick off her French Open preparations in the Spanish capital next week, but has pulled out of the event and will instead start her clay-court season at the Italian Open, which starts on May 14 in Rome.
“We regret the absence of Serena and we wish her a speedy recovery,” Madrid Open organiser Manolo Santana said.
“She is one of the great champions of our sport, she has always offered a show to the tournament and we hope to see her again at the Caja Magica in the future.”
Latest
-
ATP TourMissing Wimbledon was ‘the right thing to do’, says Rafael Nadal as he prepares for Washington debut
Rafael Nadal “super happy” to be back on Tour after extended break.
-
Tennis News‘Part-time player’ Nick Kyrgios reveals how ‘hate, racism, bulls**t’ drove him ‘into a place of dark’
“I did fall into places where people like Naomi Osaka are now speaking about mental illness,” says Kyrgios.
-
NewsPatient Emma Raducanu vows to continue learning curve after San Jose defeat
The 18-year-old reached the fourth round at Wimbledon.
-
WTA TourNaomi Osaka headlines Montreal field that includes Tokyo champion Belinda Bencic, and Bianca Andreescu
Naomi Osaka set to be the top seed at the Canadian Open.
-
Tennis NewsRafael Nadal on Novak Djokovic’s Olympics outburst: ‘It is important to avoid this, especially as a role model’
“It’s strange that someone so successful reacts this way,” says Rafael Nadal.
-
OlympicsAlexander Zverev euphoric after claiming Olympic gold, saying, ‘this is an incredible feeling’
“There is nothing better than this,” says Alexander Zverev.
-
OlympicsAlexander Zverev brushes aside Karen Khachanov to secure historic gold for Germany in men’s tennis at Olympics
Gold for Alexander Zverev at Tokyo Olympics.
-
ATP Tour‘I am shaking all over my body,’ says Casper Ruud after completing unique hat-trick with Kitzbuhel title
It’s a hat-trick of titles for Casper Ruud.
-
Olympics‘It’s the freaking Olympic Games’ – Belinda Bencic not sure whether to laugh or cry after winning gold
Belinda Bencic in dreamland after winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics.
-
Kevin PalmerComment: Novak Djokovic under fire after controversial final stand at Tokyo Olympics
Novak Djokovic walked away from the Tokyo Olympics without even a bronze medal to soothe his wounded pride.