Serena Williams , Withdraws From, the Australian Open.<br />'The New York Times' reports that Serena Williams has withdrawn from next month's Australian Open. .<br />'The New York Times' reports that Serena Williams has withdrawn from next month's Australian Open. .<br />The announcement means an extension <br />of her absence from competition <br />in a sport she once dominated. .<br />On December 8, as the Australian Open <br />shared the list of players entered in the <br />2022 tournament, Williams released a statement, saying, “I am not where I need to be physically to compete.".<br />On December 8, as the Australian Open <br />shared the list of players entered in the <br />2022 tournament, Williams released a statement, saying, “I am not where I need to be physically to compete.".<br />Williams has not competed on the WTA tour <br />since June 28, when she suffered an injured right <br />hamstring in the first set of her opening round match. .<br />Williams has not competed on the WTA tour <br />since June 28, when she suffered an injured right <br />hamstring in the first set of her opening round match. .<br />Williams, who is now 40, is a seven-time<br />Australian Open singles champion. .<br />The 'NYT' points out that Williams did not specifically <br />cite the hamstring injury in her December 8 statement, <br />instead saying that the decision was based on , “the advice from my medical team.”.<br />The 'NYT' points out that Williams did not specifically <br />cite the hamstring injury in her December 8 statement, <br />instead saying that the decision was based on , “the advice from my medical team.”.<br />The injury has reportedly been slow to heal, <br />keeping Williams out of the 2021 U.S. Open.<br />Williams added that she was , “excited to return and compete at my highest level.”.<br />However, the 'NYT' points out that <br />it remains unclear when or if Williams <br />will be able to achieve that goal.<br />However, the 'NYT' points out that <br />it remains unclear when or if Williams <br />will be able to achieve that goal.<br />Williams is currently ranked 41st and <br />has not been able to win a Grand Slam <br />singles title in almost five years. .<br />Williams is currently ranked 41st and <br />has not been able to win a Grand Slam <br />singles title in almost five years. .<br />According to the 'NYT,' Williams won her last title in January 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand, but has been unable to sustain momentum. .<br />According to the 'NYT,' Williams won her last title in January 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand, but has been unable to sustain momentum.
