Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati in order to focus on her recovery from the leg injury she suffered at Wimbledon.
The world No 20 was forced to retire from her opening-round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich in June after slipping on a wet Centre Court surface at the All England Club.
In a statement, the 39-year-old said: βUnfortunately, I will not be playing in the Western & Southern Open next week as I am still in recovery from my leg injury at Wimbledon.
βI 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.β
The tournament also announced Williamsβs sister Venus and compatriot Sofia Kenin will not be taking part in the event.
Kenin said she was withdrawing in order to get her body right for the US Open, while the reason for Venusβ withdrawal was not disclosed.
