Serena Williams withdraws from Chinese tournaments
Serena Williams on Friday targeted the women's end of season championships in Singapore next month for her competitive return to the tennis circuit.
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The world number two pulled out of two forthcoming tournaments in China citing a shoulder injury.
"I am disappointed that I will not be able to compete at the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open or the China Open due to continuing issues with my right shoulder," Williams said.
"I have been practising and playing but my shoulder is still not fit for tournament play," added the 34-year-old American.
Williams has not been played competitively since the US Open earlier this month, where Karolina Pliskova eliminated her in the semi-final.
The defeat robbed her of the chance to claim a 23rd major singles title and it also installed Angelique Kerber as world number one after a Williams reign of 186 successive weeks.
Williams also withdrew from two tournaments with a shoulder injury in July after successfully defending her title at Wimbledon.
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