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
-
NewsVictoria Azarenka reaches Italian Open quarters after Daria Kasatkina injury
Kasatkina rolled her ankle during the first set of the third-round match.
-
NewsNovak Djokovic survives tough first set on way to beating Filip Krajinovic
Djokovic and Krajinovic played an 87-minute opening set.
-
NewsJohanna Konta ends short-term coaching arrangement with Thomas Hogstedt
Konta and Hogstedt agreed the partnership was not a good fit.
-
NewsNaomi Osaka withdraws from French Open due to lingering injury
The world number three said her “hamstring is still sore so I won’t have enough time to prepare for the clay”.
-
NewsCoronavirus surge forces further restrictions on Roland Garros spectator numbers for French Open
Only 5,000 fans a day permitted.
-
NewsJohanna Konta bagels Begu to march impressively into third round at Italian Open
The British number into round three.
-
-
-
Tennis News‘I feel comfortable on clay, I always have,’ says Simona Halep as she targets Roland Garros repeat
Romanian happy to be back.
-
Tennis NewsNovak Djokovic confirms he has spoken to ATP as he pushes ahead with Players Association plans
Serb says PTPA is misunderstood.