Williams, who had hoped to match Court’s tally of 24 majors at Flushing Meadows, announced on social media that she would miss the event to continue her recovery from a torn hamstring.

“After careful consideration and following the advice of my doctors and medical team, I have decided to withdraw from the US Open to allow my body to heal completely from a torn hamstring,” wrote Williams, the world No 22, on Instagram. 

“New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world and one of my favourite places to play – I’ll miss seeing the fans but will be cheering everyone on from afar. Thank you for your continued support and love. I’ll see you soon.”

The news marks another moment of heartbreak for Williams, who was last seen leaving Wimbledon in tears after retiring from her opening match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich following an injury suffered when she slipped on the Centre Court grass.

In a brief statement released following her withdrawal against Sasnovich, Williams alluded obliquely to an injury to her right leg. Until now, however, little was known about the extent of the problem.

The American, who pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics following Wimbledon and also missed last week’s WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati, won the last of her 23 majors at the Australian Open in 2017. Williams will turn 40 on 26 September, and while it would be foolhardy to dismiss her prospects of a return to the grand slam winners’ circle, time is increasingly against her.

The latest blow to Wiliams’ aspirations will feel all the more bitter for coming at her home slam, where she has often been at her best over the past decade. The received wisdom is that Wimbledon offers the former world No 1 the best chance of adding to her grand slam tally, yet she has fallen relatively early at the All England Club on three occasions since her 30th birthday. Conversely, she has not once failed to make the last four in New York during that period, winning three of her six US Open titles and making a further three finals.

Serena will be joined on the sidelines by her sister Venus, who has succumbed to a persistent leg injury, and Sofia Kenin, the world No 5 and former Australian Open champion, who has tested positive for Covid-19.

“It’s super, super, super disappointing,” said Venus, who was beaten in straight sets by Hsieh Su-wei in the opening round of this week’s Chicago Women’s Open. “I’m having some issues with my leg all this summer, and just couldn’t work through it. I tried my best here in Chicago, but I just was unable to figure out the equation. And there’s been so many times where I’ve been able to figure it out, even not in the best of my health, but this time I just couldn’t make any miracles work.”

Venus, who won at Flushing Meadows in 2000 and successfully defended her title the following year, had been given a wildcard to appear at this year’s event. “I’m going to miss the Open,” added the 41-year-old. “It’s my favourite slam. I’ve had so many amazing memories there, and I can’t wait to get back out on the court, whenever that is. I’ll work with my team to make it as soon as I can.”

Kenin revealed on social media that she contracted Covid recently and has continued to test positive, forcing her withdrawal. “Fortunately I am vaccinated and thus my symptoms have been fairly mild,” she wrote on Twitter. “However I have continued to test positive and thus will not be able to compete at the US Open next week. I plan to spend the next several weeks getting healthy and preparing to play well this fall.”

Serena’s absence at Flushing Meadows, which follows the withdrawals of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, means it will be the first time since 1997 that none of the feted trio has appeared in New York. The absence of three star names with 63 majors between them – not to mention Venus and Dominic Thiem, the holder of the men’s title, who is still recovering from the wrist injury he suffered at the Mallorca Open in June – will be keenly felt.

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