Implications of Serena Williams' Withdrawal from The 2010 U.S. Open
Serena Williams announced that she was withdrawing from the 2010 U.S. Open because she is still recovering from the foot surgery she had on July 15th to repair a cut from broken glass in her foot. It’s a major disappointment for Serena, as well as a significant
loss for the tournament. As an American and the top-ranked female tennis player, Serena would have been the favorite to win the U.S. Open this year, as well as a huge drawing card.
Serena’s absence creates an even more wide open women’s field. Sister, Venus Williams, is still scheduled to compete, but she is nursing a sore knee and hasn’t competed since Wimbledon. Defending champion, Kim Clijsters, has a sore hip/thigh, but plans to play. Maria Sharapova, another major drawing card and former U.S. Open champion, withdrew from her final U.S. Open tune-up tournament this week in Montreal because of a foot injury although she has been playing better and better this summer. Several other players could challenge for the title, e.g. Svetlana Kuznetsova, Jelena Jankovic, Vera Zvonareva, Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Azarenka, etc. but there is no clear favorite.
From a financial standpoint, the tournament is usually almost a complete sell-out, but clearly Serena’s absence could still impact ticket sales. There is also no doubt that Serena’s absence will affect TV ratings because she definitely boosts viewership. Finally, by missing this year’s U.S. Open, Serena will avoid the inevitable questions and mentions regarding her incident with the lineswoman during the 2009 U.S. Open. In the end, the U.S. Open is bigger than its players, but there’s no doubt that Serena’s presence will be felt at the 2010 U.S. Open even in her absence…
Serena’s absence creates an even more wide open women’s field. Sister, Venus Williams, is still scheduled to compete, but she is nursing a sore knee and hasn’t competed since Wimbledon. Defending champion, Kim Clijsters, has a sore hip/thigh, but plans to play. Maria Sharapova, another major drawing card and former U.S. Open champion, withdrew from her final U.S. Open tune-up tournament this week in Montreal because of a foot injury although she has been playing better and better this summer. Several other players could challenge for the title, e.g. Svetlana Kuznetsova, Jelena Jankovic, Vera Zvonareva, Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Azarenka, etc. but there is no clear favorite.
From a financial standpoint, the tournament is usually almost a complete sell-out, but clearly Serena’s absence could still impact ticket sales. There is also no doubt that Serena’s absence will affect TV ratings because she definitely boosts viewership. Finally, by missing this year’s U.S. Open, Serena will avoid the inevitable questions and mentions regarding her incident with the lineswoman during the 2009 U.S. Open. In the end, the U.S. Open is bigger than its players, but there’s no doubt that Serena’s presence will be felt at the 2010 U.S. Open even in her absence…
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