Serena Williams AP FILE PHOTOMELBOURNE, Australia: Not long after Serena Williams' name was absent from the entry list for the Australian Open, she confirmed the obvious: the seven-time champion won't play the 2022 edition of the season-opening major in January. She won the last of her 23 Grand Slam singles titles at the 2017 Australian Open, and was beaten in the semifinals this year by Naomi Osaka in straight sets. The Australian Open's website Wednesday said the seven-time women's singles champion would not compete in Melbourne "following advice from her medical team." The nine-time Australian Open champion is tied with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the men's record of 20 Grand Slam singles titles. Nadal is also entered for the Australian Open, which starts January 17, but Federer is skipping the tournament as he continues his recovery from surgery.

Source: Manila Times December 10, 2021 04:13 UTC