Visszalépett.

Top Seed Serena Williams Withdraws from State Farm Women's Tennis Classic
February 27, 2003

Scottsdale, Arizona – World No. 1 Serena Williams withdrew Thursday from the 2003 State Farm Women’s Tennis Classic because of tendonitis in her left knee.

Williams, the top seed and defending champion, has been bothered by recurring tendonitis in recent months. She further aggravated her left knee during practice this week and decided to withdraw before her scheduled second-round match Thursday against fellow American Alexandra Stevenson.

“I’ve been in pain a little bit this week,’’ Williams said. “I just don’t want to go out there and put too much pressure on my other leg, and injure my leg even more, because I’m trying to really work hard when I go out there, really go for everything.”

At last year’s State Farm Women’s Tennis Classic, Williams defeated the top two seeds to clinch the title, eliminating No. 2 seed Martina Hingis in the semifinals 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, and No. 1 seed Jennifer Capriati, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, in the championship match. She went on to win the 2002 French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, and finished the year atop the WTA Tour rankings for the first time in her career.

“It really is disappointing that I had to pull out,’’ said Williams, who had a first-round bye in Scottsdale and thus remains undefeated in 2003 at 11-0. “This is where all the magic happened last year; it was the beginning of an unbelievable year for me.”

Williams plans to return to Florida to continue treatment on her knee. Her next scheduled tournament is the NASDAQ-100 Open, March 19-30, in Key Biscayne, Florida.