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Serena Williams cops brutal new blow after missing Australian Open

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·2-min read
Tennis great PamSerena Williams (pictured) speaking during a press conference.
Serena Williams (pictured) is set to drop further down the rankings after not attending the Australian Open. (Getty Images)

Serena Williams' absence at the 2022 Australian Open will have a huge impact on her ranking after a long-lay off due to injury.

Williams announced her shock withdrawal from the Australian Open back in December, saying she's not where she wants to be physically ahead of the first grand slam of the year.

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The 40-year-old hasn't played since retiring from her first-round match at Wimbledon in July with a right hamstring injury.

Williams is still searching for a record-equalling 24th grand slam title, but will have to wait for Roland Garros or Wimbledon.

However, her chances will become increasingly hard after leading tennis reporter explained how missing the Australian Open will impact her rankings.

Williams made the semi-final in 2021 and after withdrawing she is dropping a huge number of points.

The 23-time grand slam champ was still in the World Top 10 at the beginning of last year and sits at World No.59 right now.

However, she could drop to World No.240 or 250.

While a lower ranking will make it increasingly difficult for the American in her quest for a record grand slam, she will most likely be handed wildcards into any event she chooses to play.

Serena Williams withdraws from Aus Open

Last year, the Australian Open released a statement from Williams saying she made the decision to withdraw “following advice from her medical team."

“While this is never an easy decision to make, I am not where I need to be physically to compete,” Williams told the Australian Open website.

Serena Williams (pictured) waves to the crowd at the 2021 Australian Open.
Serena Williams (pictured) is missing from this year's Australian Open. (Photo by Jason Heidrich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“Melbourne is one of my favourite cities to visit and I look forward to playing at the AO every year.

"I will miss seeing the fans, but am excited to return and compete at my highest level.”

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