Serena Williams pulls out of Australian Open after deciding she's not "where I personally want to be"
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Loading... - Graham Davies
- 05 Jan 2021
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Serena Williams has pulled out of this month's Australian Open.
Organisers said on Friday that the reigning champion doesn't feel that she's ready to compete at the top level again.
The 36-year-old American won her 23rd grand slam singles title at Melbourne Park last year before taking time off to give birth to a daughter Alexis Olympia.
She has played just once in public since, losing to Jelena Ostapenko in Abu Dhabi last week.
"After competing in Abu Dhabi I realised that although I am super close, I'm not where I personally want to be,'' Williams said.
"Even though I am disappointed about it, I've decided not to compete in the Australian Open this year."
Following her defeat to Ostapneko, the American revealed she struggled to keep her mind on the match, saying in an on-court interview broadcast by Eurosport: "Motherhood is phenomenal.
"I was a little worried out there - I looked at my camp and asked 'is Olympia okay?'
"But it's really good. I'm excited. It's good to be back on court, this is such a good time for me. First matches back are always super incredibly hard, especially after having a baby, but it was great."
Williams was the bookmakers' favourite despite losing to Ostapenko.
