Serena Williams (WTA-7) will not participate in the WTA tournament in Miami, which starts on Tuesday. The 39-year-old American announced this on Sunday. The former number one in the world recently underwent dental surgery and is still suffering from it. “It’s a shame because Miami is my home and it’s a special tournament for me,” said Williams. “I look forward to playing again next year.”
After Kim Clijsters, Williams is the second ex-winner to cancel. Williams won the hard court tournament in Miami no less than eight times: in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
For men, the tournament already received the forfaits of the Serbian Novak Djokovic (ATP-1), the Spaniard Rafael Nadal (ATP-3), the Austrian Dominic Thiem (ATP-4) and the Swiss Roger Federer (ATP-6) and Stan Wawrinka (WTA-21).
After the four Grand Slams, the Miami Open is the most important tournament on the calendar. The “fifth Grand Slam” is worth $ 3.34 million. That is 40 percent of what could be earned two years ago, before the coronavis.
