Serena Williams' last competitive match was the Australian Open final where she beat sister Venus to win her 18th grand slam singles title. Thomas Peter / Reuters
Serena Williams' last competitive match was the Australian Open final where she beat sister Venus to win her 18th grand slam singles title. Thomas Peter / Reuters

Serena Williams pulls out of Indian Wells and Miami Masters due to knee injury



World No 1 Serena Williams has pulled out of upcoming WTA tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami because of a knee injury, organisers said on Tuesday.

A statement issued by BNP Paribas Open organisers in California quoted Williams as saying she was withdrawing because of a problem with her left knee.

“Sadly, I have to withdraw from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open,” Williams said.

“I have not been able to train due to my knees and am disappointed I cannot be there. I will keep moving forward and continue to be positive. I look forward to being back as soon as I can.”

Organisers of this week’s event in Indian Wells, which gets under way on Friday, said a revised draw would be issued later.

__________________________________

Read more

■ Maria Sharapova: Should the French Open issue her a wild card?

■ Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships: Five lessons from 2017

■ Andy Murray: Against Maria Sharapova receiving wild cards

__________________________________

Williams’s withdrawal means Germany’s world No 2 Angelique Kerber will take over the world No 1 ranking at the conclusion of the BNP Paribas Open, which ends on March 19.

Williams, 35, has not played since defeating sister Venus in the final of the Australian Open in January to clinch a record 23rd grand slam singles title.

The American finished runner-up at Indian Wells final last year, a tournament she only started playing again in 2015 after a 13-year boycott.

Williams has long been a staple at the Miami Masters, winning the tournament a record eight times with her most recent victory coming in 2015.

This year’s tournament runs from March 21 to April 2.

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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

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Install an air filter in your home.

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Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

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Bayern Munich 0 AC Milan 4
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