Two-time U.S. Open champion and former world number one Venus
made the announcement in a video posted on social media
https://twitter.com/Venuseswilliams/
status/1430626530393305090.
"Not the best news from Serena and I today," she said.
"I, too, am unable to play the U.S. Open. It's super, super,
super disappointing, having some issues with my leg all this
summer and just couldn't work through it."
The 41-year-old Venus, who has seven Grand Slam titles to her
name, said she would miss competing at her "favorite slam" and
wished all the other players good luck.
Earlier in the day, younger sister Serena withdrew with a torn
hamstring
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/
sports/serena-williams-withdraws-us-open-due-torn-hamstring-2021-08-25,
making it the first time since 2003 that neither has appeared at
the tournament in Flushing Meadows.
The siblings add their names to a long list of players who will
miss the tournament due to injury including Roger Federer, Rafa
Nadal and Simona Halep.
Fifth seed and 2020 Australian Open champion Kenin withdrew from
the competition with a breakthrough COVID-19 infection.
"I am writing with disappointing news," Kenin wrote on Twitter
https://twitter.com/SofiaKenin/status/
1430685003709616135.
"Recently, I tested positive for Covid-19. Fortunately I am
vaccinated and thus my symptoms have been fairly mild. However I
have continued to test positive and thus will not be able to
compete at the US Open next week.
"I plan to spend the next several weeks getting healthy and
preparing to play well this fall. Thank you all for supporting
me. I want to wish all the players the best of luck in New
York."
The 22-year-old Kenin, who also goes by Sonya, is one of an
impressive crop of young Americans in the game, along with
Jennifer Brady, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Danielle Collins.
U.S. Open main draw matches begin on Monday.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Karishma
Singh)
[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |