World No.1 Serena Williams has continued her absence from the tour after withdrawing from next week’s Doha Open.
Williams withdrew from this week’s Dubai Open due to illness. The 34-year-old is reportedly suffering from the flu and is still trying to recover from it. The withdrawal didn’t surprise many given Williams recent attendance record at the Dubai tournament. She has withdrawn from the event in three out of the past four years. Now it appears that the lingering effects from the flu is still troubling her.
The absence of the top seed from the upcoming WTA Premier event was confirmed in an email sent by tournament officials. Next to Williams name, it was written ‘withdrawn’. Another noticeable absence from the event will be Maria Sharapova, who is currently sidelined from the tour due to a right forearm injury.
Just got an email from Doha tourney w player arrival dates. Serena Williams’ name has “withdrawn” typed next to it. Officially out of Doha!
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) February 16, 2016
The world No.1 hasn’t played a match since her shock loss to Germany’s Angelique Kerber in the final of the Australian Open. The next scheduled event for Williams will be the prestigious Indian Wells Masters, which begins on March 7th. This means that the 34-year-old will not play a match on tour for one-and-a-half months.
Despite her failure to win the first Grand Slam of the year, the world No.1 still has the full backing of her coach Patrick Mouratoglou. Recently the French coach paid tribute to her on his Facebook account.
Proud of you @serenawilliams . I am impressed by your ability to sustain that great effort on a long distance. #goat…
Posted by Patrick Mouratoglou on Monday, February 15, 2016
