Hours after tennis star Serena Williams withdrews withdrew from the US Open because of a hamstring injury, her sister announced an ailment of her own would keep her from the event. Venus Williams announced on Twitter Wednesday that “issues” with her leg will force her to miss her first US Open since 2006.
“It’s super, super, super disappointing,” said Williams, who missed the 2006 US Open with a wrist injury. “Having some issues with my leg all summer and just couldn’t work through it. I tried my best here in Chicago, but I just was unable to figure out the equation. And there’s been so many times where I’ve been able to figure out even not in the best of my health, but this time I just couldn’t make any miracles work.”
Williams has made miracles work throughout her career, winning seven major titles including two at Flushing Meadows in 2000 and 2001. The 41-year-old’s last major semifinal appearance came in the 2017 US Open. She said in the video the Open was her “favorite” Grand Slam event.
“I’ve had so many amazing memories there, and I can’t wait to get back on the court whenever that is,” Williams said. “I’ll work with my team and make it as soon as I can.”
This year has been a struggle for Williams, who needed a wild card to participate in the US Open after falling to a WTA ranking of No. 112 — outside the top 104 who earn direct entry. She’s lost eight of her 11 matches in 2021, including a 6-2, 6-3 loss to Su-Wei Hsieh in this week’s WTA Chicago Women’s Open.
With Williams pulling out of the US Open, she now has time for something she didn’t before: dating. She jokingly asked for bachelors’ “applications” in the video announcing her withdrawal.
“I’m not used to being able to have some free time at all, and I know I said that this year I was un-dateable at Wimbledon, but I’ve changed my mind now,” Williams said. “So now that I have free time, I am accepting applications from all bachelor’s above five-foot tall, smart but not smarter than me, has a job and doesn’t talk too much. My coach, Eric Hechtman, is taking all applications because you got to contribute to the championships.”
In addition to the Williams sisters, men’s stars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have also withdrawn from the US Open. This will be the Grand Slam event without Serena Williams, Federer and Nadal in the main singles draw since the 1997 US Open.
The US Open is scheduled for Aug. 30-Sep. 12 in Queens, New York.
