American superstar Serena Williams has withdrawn from next month’s Australian Open. According to the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, the decision has been taken on advice of her medical team over insufficient fitness levels.
Due to a long recovery period from injuries, Williams has not played since her first-round exit at Wimbledon in June.
Australian Open tournament organiser Craig Tiley announced as recently as only last month that Williams would indeed by competing at Melbourne Park in January. The star is currently seeking a record 24th Grand Slam title and won the most recent of her seven AO titles in 2017.
Williams confirmed her withdrawal on Twitter on Wednesday morning. She said while the decision had not been an easy one to take, the reality she has had to face is one of not being fit enough to compete. She also added that playing in Melbourne was something she looked forward to doing every year and that she would greatly miss seeing her fans.
Williams’ name is now the most obvious omission from the Australian Open field. Also absent will be 20-time Grand Slam title holder and GOAT Roger Federer, as well as 3-time AO champion Stan Wawrinka.
While men’s world No. 1 Novak Djokovic’s name has been added to the official list of entries for 2022, he continues to refuse answering questions about his vaccination status.
All players, support staff, and officials participating in the tournament will need to provide proof of full vaccination. Fans looking to stay engaged with the Australian Open action can explore various betting options on NZ betting sites, with a particular focus on tennis bets to follow the outcomes of the matches closely.
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More About Gary Hicks
When it comes to knowing what’s going on, on the track, field or any other sporting arena, Gary Hicks is your man. With an almost unrivalled passion for journalism, sports and betting Gary decided to combine his love of all 3 and share his expertise with the world.
In the last few years Gary has risen through the ranks and prides himself on always keeping a finger on the pulse of what’s hot and happening in the sports betting world. Gary is the resident news expert at OnlineBettingNZ.co.nz and his articles make for invaluable fodder for any avid punter.
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