Serena Williams, who captured her 19th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open last month while struggling with a persistent virus, has withdrawn from the Dubai Open, apparently suffering from the same ailment. Williams’ achievement in those difficult circumstances in Melbourne was particularly remarkable, but the cost may be high and has been causing concern about the 33-year-old’s long-term health. She has been suffering from a nagging cough since that triumph and was forced to sit out the second day of the United States’ 4-1 FedCup win over Argentina in Buenos Aires last weekend.
The world number one made it clear at the start of the year that she must restrict her schedule if she is to have a chance of winning the three more Grand Slam titles needed to reach Steffi Graf’s open era record of 22 – and her Dubai pull-out underlines her determination to do this. It is, however, the second time in three years that Williams has pulled out of the popular and lucrative Middle East tournament, something which may not help the American’s image in this region, especially as she has also failed to win it in four attempts. It may, though, give her a better chance of doing well at her next tournament, Indian Wells, early in March, something of unusual significance for her and for her sister Venus Williams.
It will be the first time either Williams sister has returned to Indian Wells since they boycotted the tournament after their hostile treatment by the crowd 14 years ago.
Serena’s absence in Dubai allows Venus to squeeze into the top eight seeds, something which may help her defence of a title which made her the tournament’s first unseeded champion.
“Serena’s doing what’s best for her,” said Venus. “She’s been sick for a while and all the travelling can have an effect on you. There comes a time when you need to do something about it.”
“I know what it can be like (to be unwell),” added Venus, who has had chronic health problems in recent seasons. “It builds character – and I have had to build a lot of character in the last few years.”
Serena pulls out of Dubai Open due to persistent virus
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