Serena Williams announced Wednesday that she is withdrawing from the 2021 US Open to tend to a hamstring injury.
"After careful consideration and following the advice of my doctors and medical team, I have decided to withdraw from the US Open to allow my body to heal completely from a torn hamstring. New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world and one of my favorite places to play -- I'll miss seeing the fans but will be cheering everyone on from afar," Williams wrote in an Instagram post.
The nation's 22nd ranked player has not played since injuring her leg at Wimbledon nearly two months ago. The injury also prevented her from competing in the Tokyo Olympics, as well as the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati.
Over the course of her career, Williams has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, including six at the US Open; the most recent coming in 2014. Williams remains one title away from matching Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam singles championships.
Ashleigh Barty is the betting favorite (+350) to win the event followed by Naomi Osaka (+450), as of Wednesday morning, according to Caesars Sportsbook. The US Open runs from Aug. 30-Sep. 12 in New York.
On the men's side, star players Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have also withdrawn. The 2021 US Open will be the first Grand Slam event without Williams, Federer, or Nadal in the main singles draw since the 1997 US Open.
