Serena Williams Withdrawing From Tourneys To Take Time To Heal

Serena Williams said Thursday she is withdrawing from the season-ending WTA Finals and the China Open to take time to heal after playing through injuries all year.

Williams, who was two wins from completing a calendar-year Grand Slam at the US Open, said she is "taking a proactive step and withdrawing from tournaments in Beijing and Singapore to properly address my health and take the time to heal.''

"It's no secret I've played injured most of the year -- whether it was my elbow, my knee, or, in the final moments after a certain match in Flushing, my heart," Williams was quoted on the China Open website.

"This is a very difficult decision, but one ultimately made because of the love of the game."

In 2015, Williams won the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon. But she missed out on becoming the first player since 1988 to win all four majors in the same season when she lost to Roberta Vinci in the US Open semifinals.