VIDEO: Serena Williams "can compete," but won't enter Australian Open

Serena Williams withdraws from Australian Open

By Ed McGroganPublished January 05, 2018

Not "where I personally want to be" after nearly a year away from the game, 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams has withdrawn from this month's Australian Open. The 36-year-old hasn't played a tour-level match since winning last year's Australian Open, although she competed in last week's Abu Dhabi exhibition, where she lost to Jelena Ostapenko. While many considered her participation a precursor to a title defense in Melbourne, that will not be the case.

“After competing in Abu Dhabi I realized that although I am super close, I’m not where I personally want to be,” Williams said in a statement released by the Australian Open. “My coach and team always said ‘only go to tournaments when you are prepared to go all the way’. I can compete – but I don’t want to just compete, I want to do far better than that and to do so, I will need a little more time."

“With that being said, and even though I am disappointed about it, I’ve decided not to compete in the Australian Open this year. The memory of last year’s Open is one that I will carry with me, and Olympia and I look forward to coming back again. I appreciate the support and understanding of my fans and everyone at the Australian Open.”

Reaction from Tennis Channel's experts:

Reaction from Twitter:

Serena Williams will not defend her Australian Open title.

Four months after giving birth she’s “not where I personally want to be.” pic.twitter.com/BO5Gj14CNd
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) January 5, 2018

That's the first time Serena Williams will be unranked since the start of her professional career. She never went lower than 200s even during her biggest injury breaks.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 5, 2018

It was going to be a miracle for Serena to play in Australia. But no doubt she'll be back. Now gives herself 6 weeks if not more to get back into fighting shape. And realistically she has her eyes on Paris, then London...
— Nick McCarvel (@NickMcCarvel) January 5, 2018

Highlights of Serena's match against Ostapenko:

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