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Serena Withdraws from China Open after US Open Ouster

Serena Williams has pulled out of next week’s China Open in Beijing to stay home in the United States.

The decision to end her successful return to the tour following childbirth means the controversial defeat to Naomi Osaka in the US Open final will be Williams’ last on-court appearance of the year.

It is the fourth consecutive year that the 23-time grand slam champion will not appear in the late-season Asian swing, including when she was on maternity leave in 2017

Speculation that Williams, who turned 37 on Wednesday, could end her season early had simmered among tennis fans when October speaking engagements were revealed.

The spell at home will also allow Williams more time with her husband Alexis Ohanian and daughter Olympia.

She will now return to the court for the Australian Open in January, but there could be a spicy appearance before the first grand slam of the year.

Osaka, the rising Japanese star who won her first major title when she defeated Williams in New York, was this week confirmed as the first women’s player to sign up for the Brisbane International.

Following that coup, Fairfax Media reported that tournament officials are chasing Williams for a first visit since she won the tournament in 2014.

Read Also: US Open Final: Williams ‘Regrets’ Breaking Racquet on Court

The odds of an Osaka-Williams rematch would be relatively high in comparison to a grand slam – the main draw features just 30 players, one of the smallest events on the WTA calendar.

With the new year still months away, however, Williams is yet to commit to a schedule to begin her 2019 season.

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