By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday August 10, 2021
Serena Williams and her sister Venus have both withdrawn from next week’s Western and Southern Open, along with World No.4 Sofia Kenin.
“Unfortunately, I will not be playing in the Western & Southern Open next week as I am still in recovery from my leg injury at Wimbledon,” said the two-time champion Williams, who retired from her first-round match at Wimbledon due to injury and hasn’t played since. “I will miss all of my fans in Cincinnati whom I look forward to seeing every summer. I plan to be back on the court very soon.”
Williams is currently ranked No.20 in the world; Venus is ranked 112.
Kenin, who has been nursing a foot injury and also hasn’t played since Wimbledon, continues her rehab as well.
“Unfortunately I had to make the difficult decision to withdraw from the Western & Southern Open next week,” said Kenin. “I am rehabbing well in hopes to play the US Open later this month. I feel another week of recovery is necessary. I want to thank the USTA for all their efforts in holding the event during such challenging times. Best of luck to all the players.”
Main draw play begins on Sunday August 15th at Cincinnati.
From the tournament:
The 2021 Western & Southern Open women’s field features the WTA No. 1 and 2021 Wimbledon champion Ashleigh Barty, along with recent Major champions such as 2020 Western & Southern Open finalist Naomi Osaka (2020 US Open, 2021 Australian Open), Barbora Krejcikova (2021 French Open) and Iga Swiatek (2020 French Open). The entries also include defending and two-time champion Victoria Azarenka along with past Cincinnati champions Madison Keys (2019), Garbine Mugurza (2017) and Karolina Pliskova (2016).