Serena Williams withdraws from Western & Southern Open ahead of US Open

Serena Williams has pulled out of the Western & Southern Open to focus on her recovery from a leg injury sustained at Wimbledon in June; Venus Williams, Sofia Kenin, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have also withdrawn from the tournament

Serena Williams is still recovering from a leg injury sustained at Wimbledon in June

Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati in order to focus on her recovery from the leg injury she suffered at Wimbledon.

The world No 20 was forced to retire from her opening-round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich in June after slipping on a wet Centre Court surface at the All England Club.

In a statement, the 39-year-old said: “Unfortunately, I will not be playing in the Western & Southern Open next week as I am still in recovery from my leg injury at Wimbledon.

“I will miss all of my fans in Cincinnati whom I look forward to seeing every summer. I plan to be back on the court very soon.”

The tournament also announced Williams’s sister Venus and compatriot Sofia Kenin will not be taking part in the event.