Serena Williams, who came within two match wins of completing the first calendar year Grand Slam since Steffi Graf in 1988, has withdrawn from next week’s China Open and the season ending WTA Tour Finals in Singapore, citing injuries that she played through all year.

The 21-time major champion stated she is “taking a proactive step and withdrawing from tournaments in Beijing and Singapore to properly address my health and take the time to heal. It’s no secret I’ve played injured most of the year — whether it was my elbow, my knee, or, in the final moments after a certain match in Flushing, my heart,” Williams was quoted on the China Open website. “This is a very difficult decision, but one ultimately made because of the love of the game.”

Williams, who only lost three singles matches all season, also commented, “I plan to return to practicing and participating in exhibition matches later this year,” said Williams, who played one of the best seasons in tennis history in 2015. “And when I do, l will focus and focus and focus so I can continue my journey in this beautiful game.”

Her quest for the calendar year Slam ended with a stunning loss to Roberta Vinci in the US Open semifinals. Her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou remarked, “I don’t doubt she will have the motivation to win more Grand Slams and reach records. She was two matches away from something really big, so it was very painful. Any loss is very painful for her, but this one even more than usual, so it just takes time to recover from it.”

Mouratoglou had previously stated he didn’t think the #1 player in the world would finish this season. “When she lost in Toronto [in August], she was very disappointed, but we went back to practice the morning after because she wanted to win the US Open,” Mouratoglou said. “But after this year and the three Grand Slams [she won in 2015], the question is how high her motivation is to play those tournaments. I don’t think she should play if the motivation is not really high.”

Main Photo: