Serena Williams Injury: Updates on Tennis Star's Shoulder and Return

The shoulder injuries that have plagued Serena Williams throughout the summer have re-emerged, according to the WTA.

Continue for updates.

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Williams to Miss Western & Southern Open with Shoulder Injury

Monday, Aug. 15

"My shoulder inflammation continues to be a challenge, but I am anxious to return to the court as soon as possible," Williams, 34, said in a statement, per the tournament's Twitter account.

Those shoulder injuries potentially played a factor in the world No. 1's shocking third-round loss in the Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympic Games against underdog Elina Svitolina. ESPN's Chris McKendry certainly thought Williams appeared injured during that match:

Ben Rothenberg of the New York Times concurred and suspected Williams had larger priorities than Cincinnati:

It's been a fascinating season for Williams. Before triumphing at Wimbledon, she lost in the finals of the Australian Open and French Open. In total, she's won two singles titles in WTA play, but her inability to medal in Rio will certainly be considered a disappointment for the most dominant player in the women's game.

Now, her reign atop the WTA rankings is in jeopardy, as Rothenberg noted:

But Williams' priorities will be about winning her seventh U.S. Open and 23rd Grand Slam title overall, not her world ranking. Even if Angelique Kerber claims the top ranking in Cincinnati, few will argue Williams isn't the best player in the world.

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