Serena to miss WTA Finals due to shoulder injury

Madrid, Oct 17 (IANS) Star tennis player Serena Williams will miss the upcoming WTA Finals in Singapore from October 23 as she is still recovering from a shoulder injury that she picked up last summer.

The WTA announced on Monday the absence of the World No.2 from the tournament which concludes the season,reports Efe.

Serena, 35, won a record of 22 Grand Slam titles, which she shares with German legend Steffi Graf.

"I'm really bummed I won't be able to compete this year in Singapore. It has been a tough year for me, dealing with so much shoulder injuries," Williams said in a video message posted to the WTA's official website.

"My doctors insist that I stay at home so I can start to heal. I'm doing treatments every single day so I can play next year and have the chance to make it back to Singapore. I only have wonderful memories of playing in Singapore, and I will really miss my fans. I want to wish everyone a great time, and I hope it will be an amazing tournament -- it always is," she added.

Angelique Kerber, Agnieszka Radwanska, Simona Halep, Karolina Pliskova, Garbine Muguruza, Madison Keys and Dominika Cibulkova have already secured their places in the tournament.

Johanna Konta, Carla Suarez and Svetlana Kuznetsova are currently competing to qualify for the last spot.

--IANS

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