Serena to miss 2022 Australian Open: 'Not where I need to be physically'

The 2022 Australian Open will take place without 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams. With Williams' name missing from the initial entry list for the first major of 2022, released by Tennis Australia on Wednesday, the former world No. 1 later issued a statement that she wouldn't be playing on the advice of her medical team. 

Williams reached the semifinals in 2021, where she lost to eventual champion Naomi Osaka in straight sets. She's won seven of her 23 career singles majors in Australia.

"While this is never an easy decision to make, I am not where I need to be physically to compete," Williams said. "Melbourne is one of my favorite 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."

After her efforts at Melbourne Park, the American had an injury-plagued 2021 season and was limited to just 17 matches in total. Following the Australian Open, she was sidelined until May with a knee injury, and then was forced to retire with a leg injury after just six games against Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the first round of Wimbledon—her last match of the season. Her ranking now sits at world No. 41. 

A total of 30 Americans are on the provisional Australian Open men's and women's singles entry lists, which can be viewed here. World No. 12 and 2020 champion Sofia Kenin is the highest-ranked American entered in either field.