Serena Williams said Thursday she is withdrawing from the season-ending WTA Finals and the China Open to take time to heal after playing through injuries all year.
Williams, who was two wins from completing a calendar-year Grand Slam at the US Open, said she is "taking a proactive step and withdrawing from tournaments in Beijing and Singapore to properly address my health and take the time to heal.''
"It's no secret I've played injured most of the year - whether it was my elbow, my knee, or, in the final moments after a certain match in Flushing, my heart," Williams was quoted on the China Open website.
Williams, who turned 34 last Saturday, is one title short of tying Steffi Graf's career total of 22 Grand Slam championships and three behind Margaret Court's all-time record of 24.