After recent speculation Serena Wiliams have confirmed that she will play no more tournaments in 2015 following her disappointment at the US Open.
The world No.1 suffered a surprise loss to Roberta Vinci in the semi final of the US Open. She was on course to winning her fifth consecutive Grand Slam title and become the first woman since 1988 to claim all four Grand Slam titles within the same year. The news was confirmed by the organizers of the China Open on their Twitter account.
Unfortunately, @serenawilliams World No.1 @Serena Wiliams has withdrawn from the #chinaopen and @WTA finals in #Singapore.
— China Open (@ChinaOpen) October 1, 2015
Williams ends 2015 with a win-loss of 53-3. The three matches she has lost this season was to vinci in the US Open, Belinda Bencic in Toronto and Petra Kvitova in Madrid. She has won five tournaments this year, including three Grand Slam titles. Addressing the reasons behind her decision, the world No.1 said that she made it due to ‘her love of the game’.
“This is a very difficult decision, but one ultimately made because of the love of the game, I’ve played injured most of the year— whether it was my elbow, my knee, or – in the finals moments after a certain match in Flushing, my heart. I’m a fierce competitor.” Williams said.
According to a statement published by the China Open, the American will spend time away from the courts to address her health issues. During 2015 Williams experienced injury issues with her knee and elbow. She was forced out of Indian Wells due to her knee and withdrew from the Swedish Open due to her elbow. Reflecting on her year, the world No.1 talked about her ups and downs.
“My journey in tennis this year has been at times exhilarating, at times disappointing, But in every case, in victory and defeat, it has been extremely rewarding … I am grateful beyond words”. She said.
With the Rio Olympics in 2016, Williams will be bidding for five big titles next year instead of four. It is currently unclear where Williams will begin her 2016 season in the build-up to the Australian Open.
Serena Williams 2015 in numbers
Win-loss – 53-3
5 titles – Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, Cincinnati and Miami.
Prize money – $10,582,642
Aces – 498
Double faults – 199
Service games won – 81.1%
