Serena Williams, the #1 ranked women’s tennis player in the world announced Monday that she will be withdrawing from the Western & Southern open in Cincinnati due to a shoulder injury. “I’m very disappointed I’m not able to compete in the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, as I was really looking forward to defending my title,” Williams said. “My shoulder inflammation continues to be a challenge, but I am anxious to return to the court as soon as possible.”
This same shoulder injury also forces Williams to withdraw last month from the Rogers Cup in Montreal. Despite this nagging injury, and being upset in the third round of the Olympics, Williams has been ranked No. 1 for 183 consecutive weeks, which is the second-longest streak in WTA history.
For a tennis player at any level, the stability and flexibility in the shoulder joint is essential for generating power and accuracy. If the shoulder joint is injured or compromised in any way, it can be detrimental to a player’s ability to perform at a high level.
Leon E. Popovitz, MD is a former team physician for the U.S. Open Tennis Championships. He is an Orthopedic Surgeon and co-founder of New York Bone and Joint Specialists.
New York Bone and Joint Specialists is a top rated, private Orthopedic and Sports Medicine practice in with locations in New York City, Hoboken and Englewood, NJ. The Orthopedic Surgery, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and Pain Management specialists routinely perform surgical and non-surgical treatments for professional athletes from across the United States and various other countries.
Dr. Leon Popovitz and Dr. Michael Mizhiritsky, along with their team of best-in-class orthopedic physicians, are known for their exemplary orthopedic surgical skill and best-rated physical medicine and rehabilitation program. This, along with their top in-office physical therapy and long-term sports rehabilitation processes, leads to athletes of all levels returning to their top physical potential. Contact us today to schedule a consult!
