Twenty-three-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams & her sister, seven-time major singles champion Venus Williams, will miss the year's final tennis major, the US Open, both announced on Wednesday on social media.
Serena Williams announced she would not play due to a hamstring injury, writing on Instagram, "After careful consideration & following the advice of my doctors & medical team, I have decided to withdraw from the US Open so that my body be completely cured. A torn hamstring. "
“New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world & one of my favorite places to play – I will miss seeing the fans but will delight everyone from afar. Thank you for your continued support & love. I'll be back to you soon I'll see you," she added.
For the past three years, Serena Williams, who turns 40 on September 26, has been chasing the all-time Grand Slam singles record of 24 championships, held by Margaret Court.
Later on Wednesday, Venus Williams said on social media that she would not compete due to a leg injury.
"I too can't play the US Open," she said in a video post. "It's super, super, super frustrating. I've been having some problem with my foot this whole summer, & just couldn't work through it."
Venus Williams, 41, played at the WTA 250 tournament in Chicago on Monday, losing in the first round to Hsieh Su-wei.
He made his debut at the US Open in 1997. He has won this competition twice.
"I'm going to miss the Open," she said. "It's my favorite Slam. I have so many wonderful memories there, & I can't wait to be back on the court whenever it is. I'll work with my team to make it as quickly as possible. At the moment No date."
The Williams sisters are the latest high-profile names to pull out of the tournament after defending men's champions Dominic Thiem, Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal all announced they would not compete due to injuries.
The US Open is going to start on Monday.