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
-
Tennis NewsEmma Raducanu impact continues as UK government ploughs £22million into tennis
The money will be used to renovate and improve derelict park tennis courts and increase accessibility.
-
Tennis NewsExplainer – Why Novak Djokovic and a host of star names could be banned from the Australian Open
Djokovic and a host of star names could set facing a ban from January’s Australian Open.
-
Tennis NewsCasper Ruud moves ahead of Djokovic and Medvedev with title win in San Diego
Ruud cemented his reputation as one of the rising stars of the game as he beat Cameron Norrie 6-0 6-2 to take the San Diego.
-
Tennis NewsAryna Sabalenka tests positive for Covid after admitting she ‘doesn’t trust’ vaccines
Sabalenka has been ruled out of next week’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
-
Tennis NewsAnother big win for Britain’s Cameron Norrie as he beats Andrey Rublev in San Diego
Cameron Norrie came from behind to defeat top seed Andrey Rublev 3-6 6-3 6-4.
-
Tennis NewsWhere Emma Raducanu’s ranking could be after Indian Wells as new practice video is released
Raducanu has a unique opportunity to climb the rankings at a stunning rate.
-
Tennis NewsCameron Norrie records another top 20 win as he storms into San Diego semi-finals
Norrie’s fine form in 2021 continued as he raced into the semi-finals of the San Diego Open.
-
Tennis NewsAndy Murray sports a moustache as he does a Ron Burgundy to declare his ‘love’ for San Diego
Just give Murray an award for his impersonation.
-
Tennis NewsTennis analyst urges Nick Kyrgios to stay in the sport, saying ‘tennis is more fun with you in it’
Mark Petchey hopes Nick Kyrgios stays in tennis.
-
Tennis News2021 BNP Paribas Open: Big Three out, Emma Raducanu seeded on WTA 1000 event debut, TV channels, prize money
The 2021 BNP Paribas Open will have a different feel to it.