Serena Williams withdraws from Australian Open: 'I’m not where I personally want to be'

One year after winning the Australian Open while pregnant with daughter Alexis Olympia, Serena Williams announced that she won’t be returning Down Under to defend her title.

Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

“After performing my first match after giving birth, I realized that although I am super close I’m not where I personally want to be,” Serena stated. “My coach and teams always said “Only go to tournaments when you are prepared to go all the way”. With that being said I am disappointed to say I’ve decided not to compete in the Australian open this year.”  

Serena added, "The memory of last year’s Open is one that I will carry with me and Olympia and I look forward to coming back again."

Photo: Instagram/serenawilliams

Serena, who gave birth to her daughter in September, made her post-baby return to the tennis court in December to play in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi. In the end, the mom-of-one ended up losing her exhibition match to Jelena Ostapenko.

Photo: Tom Dulat/Getty Images  

The 36-year-old tennis star revealed that she was withdrawing from the competition via a statement on her Snapchat.

Photo: Snapchat/SerenaWilliams