Serena Williams has confirmed she will not participate in this year’s Mutua Madrid Open. The world number one explained on Friday morning shortly before main draw was made that she would have to withdraw from the third WTA Premier Mandatory of the season due to illness: “Unfortunately I have had to pull out of Madrid because I have had a fever and I don’t feel 100 percent,” Williams said.
The world number one reached the semifinals of last year’s tournament and lifted the trophy in 2012 and 2013. In total, Williams has won 20 of her 24 matches on the clay of the Caja Mágica in Madrid.
Following the withdrawal of the 21-times Grand Slam winner, world number two Agnieszka Radwanska moves up to top seed in the draw.