23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams will not be playing at this year’s Olympic Games for reasons she doesn’t wish to publicly discuss.
The former world No.1 confirmed her withdrawal from the sporting extravaganza on Sunday during media day at Wimbledon. In recent weeks there has been doubts over Williams playing due to the COVID-19 restrictions which limits the number of people athletes can bring with them. Meaning she would have to travel to the Games without her young daughter.
“I’m actually not on the Olympic list, so… Not that I’m aware of. If so, then I shouldn’t be on it,” said Williams.
Williams is one of the most decorated tennis players in Olympic history with four gold medals. She won the singles title at the 2012 London Games when the tennis event was held at Wimbledon. She and her sister Venus also won the doubles title in 2000, 2008 and 2012. Williams also played in the 2016 event where she lost in the first round of the doubles tournament and the third round in singles.
“There’s a lot of reasons that I made my Olympic decision. I don’t feel like going into them today. Maybe another day,” she said.
“In the past it’s been a wonderful place for me. I really haven’t thought about it (how I feel about missing the Games), so I’m going to keep not thinking about it.”
A series of top names such as Denis Shapovalov, Dominic Thiem, Casper Ruud and Grigor Dimitrov will not be travelling to Tokyo for various reasons. The event is sandwiched between Wimbledon and the start of the North American hardcourt swing. Furthermore, travel restrictions are a concern for some.
Williams made her announcement on the eve of Wimbledon getting underway where she will be playing in the main draw for the 20th time in her career. She is already a seven-time champion at SW19 and has a win-loss record of 98-12. Despite her history at the event, the American is not underestimating the challenge she faces this year.
“I think that the women’s draw is so deep, regardless of who you play. You really have to show up now. There’s no longer matches that are going to be a sure walk-through. You just have to really have your head in, have your game on,” she commented.
In recent years there is a growing consensus that less players are starting to fear Williams who has won an astonishing 73 WTA titles over a 22-year period. With players knowing they have to be at their best when they play her, she says it has both motivated and hindered her over time.
“It‘s definitely made me better, to be honest. I’ve had a big X on my back since ’99, since I won the US Open. When players play me that hard every single tournament, every single match, every single Grand Slam, it just doesn’t matter where, you just get better,” Williams explained.
“It’s been difficult mentally when someone might beat you and they lose directly in the next round almost every time. At the end of the day that’s why I’m Serena,” she added.
Williams will play Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the first round at Wimbledon.
