Serena Williams targets WTA Finals return in Singapore this year

22-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams is aiming to make her return at the season-ending WTA Finals in Singapore this year after announcing that she’s withdrawing from the Wuhan Open and China Open earlier today.

“I am disappointed that I will not be able to compete at the Wuhan Open or the China Open due to continuing issues with my right shoulder,” Williams said in a statement. “I have been practicing and playing but my shoulder is still not fit for tournament play.”

“I wish the tournaments great success and I’m sure the fans will enjoy some great tennis. I am focused on getting ready to compete at the WTA Finals in Singapore.”

Williams, who was supplanted at the top of the WTA rankings by reigning Australian and US Open champion Angelique Kerber, said that she’s “tired of playing tournaments unhealthy and taking losses that I would never lose.”

Despite having only played 8 tournaments this year, Serena has qualified for the year-ending WTA Finals in Singapore. She won two titles (Rome and Wimbledon) and finished runner-up in other Grand Slams (Australian Open, French Open) plus a semifinal finish at the US Open.

Patrick Mouratoglu, Serena’s coach, said in a CNN interview: “It’s a bad season for her. She has been a lot injured. For Serena any other result that is not a title is a bad result. The final at a Grand Slam is a bad result for her. We cannot be satisfied with one Grand Slam [title] and two finals lost.”

A strong performance in Singapore could potentially mean regaining the top ranking for Williams. The American is a five-time champion at the season-ending WTA tournament.