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Serena Williams Australian Open 2021

‘The hamstring is better’ – Serena Williams provides positive injury update ahead of Australian Open


Serena Williams has provided a positive injury update and suggested she may be fit to play the upcoming Australian Open in 2022.

The American star has not featured since sustaining an unfortunate injury in her opening round match at Wimbledon in June.

Since then, the 23-time Grand Slam winner has missed the Tokyo Olympics, the US Open and several other WTA Tour events, plummeting her from world number eight at the beginning of the grass court season to world number 41.

Despite the disappointment of missing her home Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows, Williams looks to be close to full fitness as she makes her preparations for the January Slam at Melbourne Park.

“The hamstring is better. It took a long time, it took forever, but it’s much better now,” Williams said during an interview on the Jimmy Kimmel show.

The American, who remains just one major title away from equalling the record set by Margaret Court, admitted she was left heartbroken after being forced to withdraw from New York.

“It was sad to miss that one,” Williams said. “It was really sad, I had the most awesome outfit too, I put in extra effort to try to make it but it didn’t work out.”

The American also recounted the events which saw her pull out of Wimbledon, admitting that she knew the severity of her injury immediately.

“I was actually winning and I went for a shot and I heard this noise and I was like ‘oh no’,” Williams revealed.

“I felt it but I felt like ‘Okay, let me just keep trying’, but it was bad and I was like, ‘oh man’.

“I love the grass, it’s something special walking out at Wimbledon, wearing all white and being on the green grass (but) it just wasn’t for me this year.”

When asked about her potential appearance at the Australian Open, Williams replied ‘yeah, I’m definitely…’ before the audience intervened with a huge applause.


Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.