MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Hindi na rin lalaro si defending champion Serena Williams sa Australian Open.

Ipinahayag ni Williams ang desisyon bunsod nang katiyakan sa sarili na hindi pa siya handa na magbalik-aksiyon matapos magsilang sa kanyang unang supling na si Alexis nitong September.

Nakilahok si Williams sa exhibition tournament sa Abu Dhabi may isang linggo na ang nakalilipas at matapos ang kabiguan kay French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, ipinahayag na hindi pa siya handang sumabak sa Melbourne.

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“After competing in Abu Dhabi I realized that although I am super close, I’m not where I personally want to be,” pahayag ni Williams sa pahayag na inilabas ng Australian Open organizers nitong Biyernes.

“My coach and team always said ‘only go to tournaments when you are prepared to go all the way’. I can compete - but I don’t want to just compete, I want to do far better than that and to do so, I will need a little more time.

“With that being said, and even though I am disappointed about it, I’ve decided not to compete in the Australian Open this year.”

Sa edad na 36, si Williams ay seven-time champion sa Australian Open at kailangan lamang ang isa pang Grand Slam title para pantayan ang marka na all-time record ni Margaret Court.

Ang kanyang pagatras ay wala pang 24 oras matapos magpahayag ng hindi paglahok si dating world No.1 Andy Murray sa men’s event dahil sa injury.

Hindi pa malinaw, ngunit kapwa rin nagpapagaling sa iba’t ibang injury sina top-ranked Rafael Nadal, six-time champion Novak Djokovic at 2014 winner Stan Wawrinka.