Serena Williams has formally withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells due to a left knee injury.
Speculation about the presence of the 35-year-old at the event started to mount in recent days after she missed two consecutive training sessions. Williams was set to play in her first competitive tournament since winning the Australian Open in January. The severity of the knee issue has not been disclosed to the public, however, the American will miss both Indian Wells and Miami.
“Sadly, I have to withdraw from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open.” Williams said in a statement.
“I have not been able to train due to my knees and am disappointed I cannot be there. I will keep moving forward and continue to be positive. I look forward to being back as soon as I can.”
Knee issues have hindered the multiple grand slam champion in recent time. Last year at the US Open, Williams said she had been dealing with a ‘serious left knee problem’ following her semifinal loss to Karolina Pliskova. In November 2015 Patrick Mouratoglou (Williams’ coach) said that part of the cartilage in her knee had gone following years of competitive sport.
It is the second time within the past three years that Williams’ Indian Wells campaign has been halted by injury. Ending her 14-year boycott of the tournament in 2015, the 23-time grand slam champion pulled out ahead of her semifinal match against Simona Halep due to a right knee injury.
Williams was set to defend a total of 770 points on the WTA Tour this month, the second highest amount after Victoria Azarenka. Due to her injury setback, Germany’s Angelique Kerber will rise back to world No.1. World No.3 Pliskova could also claim the top spot by the end of the month if she wins both of the premier tournaments.
The Women’s draw at Indian Wells has now been reshuffled with Pliskova replacing Williams’ slot and Cibulkova replacing Pliskova.
