Introduction
Serena Williams is one of the most decorated and successful female tennis players of all time. She has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most of any player in the Open Era. She has also won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and four Olympic gold medals.
However, Williams has been away from tennis for some time now. In this article, we will explore the reasons why Williams has been away from tennis and how her absence has impacted the sport.
The Injury That Ended Her Career
In 2018, Williams suffered a pectoral injury that forced her to withdraw from the French Open. She subsequently underwent surgery for the injury and was expected to return to the tour by the end of the year.
However, her recovery took longer than expected and she was not able to compete in any tournaments in 2019. She was forced to withdraw from the French Open again in 2020 due to the same injury and has not competed since.
Pregnancy and Maternal Leave
In 2017, Williams announced that she was pregnant with her first child. She was forced to take a break from the tour to focus on her pregnancy and the birth of her daughter.
After the birth of her daughter, Williams took a break from the tour to focus on being a mother. She also took advantage of the WTA’s new policy that allows players to take up to three years of maternity leave without losing their ranking.
Dealing With Postpartum Depression
Williams revealed in an interview that she had been struggling with postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter. She had been struggling with anxiety and depression due to the demands of being a professional athlete and a mother.
Williams said that she had to take a step back and focus on her mental health before she could return to the tour. She has been working with a psychologist to help her manage her mental health.
The Impact Of The Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the tennis world. The WTA and ATP tours have been suspended since March 2020 due to the pandemic.
Williams was forced to take another break from the tour due to the pandemic. She has been using the time to focus on her health and prepare for a possible return to the tour.
The Impact Of Age
Williams is now 38 years old, which is considered to be old for a professional tennis player. She has been struggling with injuries and her age has been a factor in her extended absence from the tour.
Her age has made it more difficult for her to recover from injuries and she has had to take a more cautious approach to training. She has been focusing on strengthening her body to help her stay healthy and competitive.
The Impact Of The Absence On The Sport
Williams’ absence has had a major impact on the sport of tennis. The WTA Tour has struggled to find a player to fill the void left by Williams. Her absence has left a gap in the rankings and the WTA has been unable to find a suitable replacement.
Impact on Williams’ Rivals
Williams’ absence has also had an impact on her rivals. Without Williams as a competitor, some of her rivals have been able to rise to the top of the rankings.
Players such as Naomi Osaka, Simona Halep, and Ashleigh Barty have been able to break into the top 10 in the rankings without having to face Williams.
Impact on Sponsorships
Williams’ absence has also had an impact on the sport’s sponsorships. Williams has been the face of many of the sport’s biggest sponsors and her absence has left a void that has yet to be filled.
Without Williams as a competitor, sponsors have been unable to find a suitable replacement and have been forced to look elsewhere for new talent.
The Possibility Of A Return
Despite her extended absence, there is still hope that Williams will return to the tour. She has been working hard to prepare for a return and she has not ruled out a comeback.
Williams has said that she will take her time to make sure she is ready to compete and will not rush her return. She has also said that she will not return until she is sure she can compete at the highest level.
Conclusion
Serena Williams has been away from tennis for some time now, due to a combination of injuries, pregnancy and maternal leave, postpartum depression, and the pandemic. Her absence has had a major impact on the sport, both on the court and off.
However, there is still hope that Williams will make a return to the tour. She has been preparing for a return and has not ruled out a comeback. Only time will tell if Williams will make a triumphant return to the tour.