Tournament organizers say top-ranked Serena Williams has pulled out of the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo scheduled for Sept. 26-Oct. 2.
Most of us are probably not surprised this time, since this is the fifth tournament Serena has missed since cutting her foot on some glass in an accident at a restaurant back in July. It doesn’t seem to really be news anymore when she pulls out of a tournament. Many don’t expect her to play. It will be news if she ever returns to action.
After missing the U.S. Open, Serena said she wasn’t sure when she’d return to competition. She added she plans to play for the United States in the Fed Cup final against Italy in November. Although she is supposedly back practicing, it remains to be seen whether or not she will actually participate in the Fed Cup final. That might be the real surprise.
Serena was to head a strong field for the event, which includes defending champion Maria Sharapova. Others in the field include Wimbledon runner-up Vera Zvonareva, French Open champion Francesca Schiavone, Caroline Wozniacki, Samantha Stosur and Jelena Jankovic.
