“Just playing is a risk for Serena Williams” coach Patrick Mouratoglou gives insight about the extent of Serena’s injury
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Serena Williams and Patrick Mouratoglou
Serena Williams confirmed her withdrawal from the 2021 US Open today and joins the big list of stars who will not be travelling to New York for the final Grand Slam of the season. Serena conveyed her decision via her social media handles and will be looking to get back as soon as possible.
Speaking about Serena’s injury and plans for the future, long-time coach Patrick Mouratoglou spoke in detail about what happened between the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, where Serena picked her hamstring after slipping on a rather wet court in the 1st round that saw her retire, and the 2021 US Open.
“It’s obviously a disappointment but this time, it’s not like a door slammed shut. We were in a process to try to heal an injury. We knew we were late; we made everything possible. Day after day, we knew we had less chances. Ten days ago, the MRI showed that the injury (a torn hamstring) was still present. She couldn’t move.
“Where you are twenty days before a major event and you didn’t even run for six weeks and you can only play statically, you know it’s a bad start. We decided to make a final checkpoint a week before the event. The point was about moving without any pain. If this condition wouldn’t happen, it means that you know you can’t even practice. The withdrawal is the result of a process,” said Patrick.
“The US Open was the last goal of the season” Patrick not sure about Serena Williams’ plans for the rest of the season
Serena has lately been having issues with frequent injuries and the former World No. 1 is choosing her tournament appearances very carefully so as to not force her body more than it can take.
“If the US Open happened in three weeks instead of next week, it would have been possible. It’s not the case today. Everyone did what would possibly be done, daily medical care, all that was possible in terms of physical preparation. After some weeks of this regime, she could use the racquet with no leg movement at all, for two weeks.
“Then, last week, she played in very small perimeters but she couldn’t avoid pain. We were far from regular tennis movements. Today she can’t run properly and she feels something after all. Pain means danger, and pain means that you can’t play as you should. But the point is that playing, just playing is a risk,” added Mouratoglou.
Answering whether this is the end of the season for Serena, Patrick said, “I don’t know; we didn’t talk about that. We just talked about the US Open, that was the last goal of the season. First, she has to digest, then we can sit and talk. Today, I’m not certain of anything in one sense or another.“
With 4 months of action still left in the season, fans can hope Serena makes a return to the tour and have injury-free time.
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