By Chris Oddo | Thursday October 1, 2015

World No. 1 and 21-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams has elected to withdraw from this year’s China Open and WTA Finals. The news was released via the China Open’s Twitter feed. In those tweets Williams states that it was a difficult decision that was ultimately made for the love of the game.

Check back soon for more details…

Unfortunately, @serenawilliams World No.1 @Serena Wiliams has withdrawn from the #chinaopen and @WTA finals in #Singapore.

— China Open (@ChinaOpen) October 1, 2015

"My journey in tennis this year has been at times exhilarating, at times disappointing," said 21-grand slam winner @serenawilliams

— China Open (@ChinaOpen) October 1, 2015

SW: "But in every case, in victory and defeat, it has been extremely rewarding ... I am grateful beyond words."

— China Open (@ChinaOpen) October 1, 2015

SW: "I’ve played injured most of the year— whether it was my elbow, my knee, or - "

— China Open (@ChinaOpen) October 1, 2015

SW: "in the finals moments after a certain match in Flushing, my heart. I’m a fierce competitor."

— China Open (@ChinaOpen) October 1, 2015

SW: "And I want to compete as well as I can, for as long as I can."

— China Open (@ChinaOpen) October 1, 2015

SW: "And I want to compete as well as I can, for as long as I can."

— China Open (@ChinaOpen) October 1, 2015

.Serena Williams said she had withdrawn from the final 2015 events to address her health "and to heal".

— China Open (@ChinaOpen) October 1, 2015

"This is a very difficult decision, but one ultimately made because of the love of the game," said @serenawilliams. Full story to follow.

— China Open (@ChinaOpen) October 1, 2015