DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Extended injury absences for Serena and Venus Williams are giving everyone a chance to see what women’s tennis eventually will look like without them.
Other players, fans, WTA officials and TV networks all are getting a preview of a Williams-less tour. Both sisters are going to miss this weekend’s Fed Cup final in San Diego between the United States and Italy. And both were no-shows at last week’s WTA Championships.
Serena is sidelined after two operations on her right foot and hasn’t played a competitive match anywhere since winning Wimbledon on July 3. Hobbled by a bad left knee, Venus only has played in one tournament, the U.S. Open, since losing at the All England Club on June 29.
Serena turned 29 this year, and Venus turned 30.
