By: KAMAKSHI TANDON
Serena Williams has withdrawn from next week’s WTA event at Beijing, and she will not play for the rest of the season. Williams has not played the Asian swing in recent years. But with no points to defend, she should not experience a lot of rankings movement, and is currently the world No. 16.
Her withdrawal also opens up another spot for the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai, where Williams was in third position for the eight-player field, which consists of the seven highest-ranked pros who do not qualify for the WTA Finals plus a wild card.
Williams received a game penalty during a dispute with the umpire in the final of the US Open, the incident setting off huge controversy and prompting charges of sexism in officiating from Williams. Since then, she has appeared at an event for the National Retail Foundation, and gave an interview to an Australian TV station to promote a sponsor campaign.