Serena Williams Suffers a Big Blow Ahead of Australian Open 2021

Published 02/05/2021, 3:32 AM EST

Serena Williams had a premature ending to her 2020 campaign due to an Achilles injury. However, the 23-time Grand Slam champion recovered just in time for the 2021 WTA tour and made it to the semi-finals of the Yarra Valley Classic to re-establish her dominance. But injury woes have Serena sidelined yet again.

Serena Williams withdraws from WTA 500 Yarra Valley Classic

The Yarra Valley Classic is a WTA 500 event that was added to the calendar to prove as a warm-up for the Australian Open. Rightfully so, this tournament is of great help to athletes who are returning from an injury, just like Serena Williams is.

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However, sport is always about fitness, and Serena isn’t feeling 100% at the moment. The 39-year-old cruised to the semi-finals of the Yarra Valley Classic by defeating Danielle Rose Collins in three sets but unfortunately can’t challenge for the title.

Serena Williams has withdrawn ahead of her semifinal at the Yarra Valley Classic due to a right shoulder injury.
Ashleigh Barty receives a walkover into the final.
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) February 5, 2021

“Serena Williams has withdrawn ahead of her semifinal at the Yarra Valley Classic due to a right shoulder injury,” WTA Insider’s official Twitter handle informed.

This obviously means that Ashleigh Barty effortlessly books a ticket to the finals. While this might good news for the Australian, it will be nothing but pure agony for Serena. She looked to be in tremendous spirit ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year, but a shoulder injury is messing with her confidence.

There is no extensive update about the seriousness of Serena’s injury; hence, her participation at the Australian Open 2021 remains a question. For now, all we know is that her early chance of sealing a WTA title has been cut short.

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Serena was keen on facing Ashleigh Barty

Fans were excited to witness the monumental clash between Serena Williams and Ashleigh Barty. The Yarra Valley Classic semi-final was a potential blockbuster, but the match will not take place now.

Serena Williams was excited to face Barty, knowing that the latter would be the crowd favorite at Melbourne. She had said, “I feel great, I have nothing to lose going into that match. It’s going to great for me and her. She’s obviously a crowd favorite and whenever I am not playing against her, I am rooting for her.”

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Serena Williams and Ashleigh Barty have only faced each other twice in their professional careers. Williams has the 2-0 upper-hand, but one can expect Barty to record at least one victory against the American in the near future!

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Arjun Athreya is a senior writer at Essentially Sports and has been contributing since early 2020. Having developed an avid interest in sports at an early age, he pursued a Journalism degree and graduated from Madras Christian College. Arjun manages the Golf division and its content, and primarily covers news pertaining to the NBA as well.

Serena Williams Suffers a Big Blow Ahead of Australian Open 2021

Serena Williams withdraws from WTA 500 Yarra Valley Classic

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Serena was keen on facing Ashleigh Barty