Serena Williams Withdraws From Bastad A Day After Winning Her 1st RD Match
With a busy schedule ahead of her Calendar Slam attempt at the US Open, Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Bastad clay event.
The Wimbledon champion won her opening round match Wednesday, but doctors advised her to rest her ailing right elbow.
“I was having some pain in my elbow,” the World No.1 told reporters at a press conference.
“I felt it a little bit in my match yesterday, and then it got better, but then this morning I really couldn’t hit serves, and if I’m not able to hit serves that could definitely be a problem. So I talked to my coach about it and we were like, ‘Let’s see what the doctor says, and see what everyone else says, and go from there.’ The main thing is that we don’t want it to get worse, we want it to heal.
“Unfortunately I haven’t had time to heal. I’ve been going, going, going, playing tournaments I love, and coming here has been such a great joy, but unfortunately it’s not going to heal if I keep playing.”
Serena, who likely received a huge guarantee just to show up in Sweden, is still scheduled for World TeamTennis, Stanford, Toronto and Cincinnati this summer on the hardcourts before The US Open in New York on August 31.
“I’m in no hurry to leave Bastad. I love this city. Hopefully I’m welcome to stay a few more days!”
You Might Like:
Serena Williams Lands In Bastad, It’s Her First Trip To Sweden [Video]
Serena Williams Has Withdrawn From Next Week’s Bastad Open
Serena Williams Withdraws From Cincinnati, Angelique Kerber Will Be No. 1 By Winning Title
Sick Serena Williams Withdraws From Doha, Is This Another Grand Slam Hangover?
Two-Time Winner Serena Williams Withdraws From Madrid