Women’s tennis world No 1, Serena Williams, has withdrawn from the Madrid Open with influenza infection, the organisers confirmed on Friday.
The 34-year-old has confirmed the setback.
“Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from Madrid because I’ve been battling the flu and I’m not at 100 per cent. I look forward to returning soon,” Williams said.
The withdrawal will be a huge blow to the American, who is yet to win a title this year.
Former WTA Champions, Martina Navratilova affirmed her as the ‘queen’ of women’s tennis but may no longer be No 1 by the end of the year.
“Right now there is competition but not quite rivalry yet. But certainly, a lot of players are stepping on Serena’s heels for the year,” Navratilova, an 18-time Major champion, said in Singapore to promote this year’s WTA Finals.
“The last couple of years by now, we pretty much knew Serena would end up world No 1 at the end of the year but this year it’s up in the air. It’s going to be difficult for her to keep that cushion but at the same time, she’s still the queen.”
Williams has only played four tournaments since August, and failed to triumph in all.
She lost to Angelique Kerber in the Australian Open final, to Victoria Azarenka in the Indian Wells final and in the fourth round at Miami to Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Polish Agnieszka Radwanska is now the top seed at the tournament, which starts on Saturday.
