Serena Williams Retires From Hopman Cup Match With Knee Soreness

The 2016 season didn’t get off to a good start for world number one Serena Williams as she was forced to retire from a Hopman Cup match with left knee soreness.

Williams also missed a previous match in the Cup with inflammation of the same knee.

“I just have some inflammation that’s been going away very slowly,” she explained. “It’s still there, it’s going away, but just needs a little more time. A little rest, a little treatment. I’ve been training really hard during the off-season and really pushing myself beyond the limits, I just think a day off or two will make a world of difference.”

While Williams insisted the issue was minor, it’s hard not to speculate about her title defense at the Australian Open, which will begin in roughly two weeks. A bad knee and limited mobility could severely hurt her chances to repeat; at the least, her preparation for the tournament will likely be impacted.

“Speed is my strength so I definitely think I will be able to get it right for Australia,” she said. “I only think positive and I know I’ll be okay.”

In addition to her 2015 victory at the Australian Open, Williams also took the top spot at Wimbledon and the French Open; she lost in the semis at the US Open, missing her chance at a Grand Slam.

Photo:  Serena Williams of the United States returns a shot to Roberta Vinci of Italy during their Women’s Singles Semifinals match on Day Twelve of the 2015 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 11, 2015 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.  (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)