Serena Williams have reportedly withdrawn from next week’s WTA tournament in Montreal citing “personal reasons,” organizers said Saturday. “Of course, we are disappointed that Serena will not be joining us,” Eugene Lapierre, the tournament’s director said in a statement. He noted that despite the 23-times Grand Slam winner’s absence, all of the top 10 players in the world are in the draw for one of the key tuneups for the US Open. 
Following Williams’ withdrawal, Germany’s Tatjana Maria gains direct entry into the draw. Maria will play against France’s Alize Cornet in the first round. The winner from that match could play against fourth-seeded Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber in the second round. William struggled after she had a life-saving surgery following the birth of her daughter Olympia in September. she was defeated at the Wimbledon final by Germany’s Kerber. Williams on Tuesday endured the most lopsided defeat of her WTA career when she fell 6-1, 6-0 to Briton Johanna Konta in San Jose, California.“I have so many things on my mind that I don’t have time to be shocked about a loss where I clearly wasn’t at my best,” Williams said after that defeat. Photo Credit: Getty
