Serena Williams out of 2021 US Open, cites hamstring injury

Serena Williams revealed she would miss the upcoming US Open early Wednesday morning, releasing a statement posted to social media.

"After careful consideration and following the advice of my doctors and medical team, I have decided to withdraw from the US Open to allow my body to heal completely from a torn hamstring," she wrote. "New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world and one of my favorite places to play—I’ll miss seeing the fans but will be cheering everyone on from afar.

"Thank you for your continued support and love. I’ll see you soon."

Williams was last on court to play the Wimbledon Championships, where she initially incurred the injury against Aliaksandra Sasnovich and ultimately retired during the first set.

A 23-time Grand Slam champion, Williams won her first major title at Flushing Meadows in 1999, and went on to claim six US Open victories.

Since returning from maternity leave in 2018, she reached back-to-back finals in New York, and reached the semifinals in 2020, falling to rival Victoria Azarenka in three sets.

WATCH: Serena Williams ASMR

The younger Williams sister recently appeared in an Instagram live video with big sister Venus, doing a light workout and answering fan questions.

When Venus asked Serena to list some of her favorite US Open memories, the former No. 1 took a comic pause, likely a nod to some of more dramatic incidents she has endured in New York City over the years.

Williams surpassed Stefanie Graf's Open Era record for major titles at the 2017 Australian Open, and has since been in hot pursuit of the all-time record previously set by Margaret Court. She has played just six tournaments in 2021; two of those have ended in a retirement or walkover.

With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal also out of the US Open, it marks the first time all three won't contest for a title at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center since 1997.