Serena withdraws from Cincinnati with shoulder injury

CINCINNATI, Ohio: Serena Williams, fresh off a third-round upset loss at the Rio Olympics, has pulled out of this week’s Western & Southern Open here with a shoulder injury, the tournament’s two-time defending champion said on Monday.

Williams, who had accepted a wild card into the tournament last week after competing at the Olympics, made the decision to skip the key US Open tune-up after a morning practice here.

“I’m very disappointed I’m not able to compete in the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati as I was really looking forward to defending my title,” world number one Williams said in a statement on the tournament’s website.

“My shoulder inflammation continues to be a challenge, but I am anxious to return to the court as soon as possible.”

The decision by Williams comes six days after she tumbled out of the singles competition at the Rio Olympics where she suffered a shock defeat to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina.