In a recent setback for tennis enthusiasts, Venus Williams, the celebrated seven-time Grand Slam singles winner, announced her withdrawal from the Tennis in the Land tournament due to a persisting knee injury. However, this renowned athlete is not ready to hang up her racket just yet; she has her sights firmly set on participating in the imminent US Open.
Williams, aged 43, conveyed her decision via a video shared by the promoters of the WTA 250 event in downtown Cleveland. Expressing her disappointment, she said, “Unfortunately, my knee is just not acting right. It's not supporting me being on the court.” Despite this setback, her aspirations remain undeterred as she plans to showcase her prowess at the US Open, which is slated to commence on August 28. Fans of Williams will fondly recall her iconic back-to-back victories at Flushing Meadows in 2000 and 2001, not to mention her memorable debut in the final in 1997.
Displaying her resilient spirit, Williams remarked, “It's such a bummer, but I'm going to work on myself and get myself together to be at the US Open.”
The tennis legend was initially scheduled to begin her campaign in Cleveland on Monday. This planned match was to follow closely on the heels of her recent defeat at the hands of China's Zheng Qinwen during the Western and Southern Open in Mason, Ohio.
However, it wasn't all disappointment at the Cincinnati-based tournament for Williams. She clinched her first victory over a top-20 adversary in a span of four years, triumphing over Russia's No. 16 ranked Veronika Kudermetova. Although her current season track record stands at 3-6, and her global ranking has slid to No. 407 after nearly half a year's hiatus due to injuries, Venus Williams' indomitable spirit ensures that she remains a player to watch in the upcoming US Open.
