December 27, 2007

Hopman Delay - Injury or illness?

I have read several articles stating that Serena is being delayed due to a "mild illness." Now there are articles (that appear to be highly speculative) citing a lingering knee injury as the the reason for the delay. Since when does a "mild illness" translate into a "knee injury?" Hopefully Serena will soon make a statement. Either way, we are bound to know what happens (in reference to her participation) within the next few days. Also worthy of noting is that the Official Hopman Cup Website lists the following article on their main page:

Serena Arrival Forces Temporary Switch

It was announced today that due to a mild illness, Serena Williams will now be arriving in Perth on Sunday. As the USA’s opening match in the Hyundai Hopman Cup is on Saturday morning against India, a substitute in Meghann Shaughnessy will partner Mardy Fish for this match only. Serena’s first match will now be on Monday 31 December against the talented Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic in a pivotal tie for both teams.

Tournament Director, Paul McNamee said “it’s great that Serena is still playing in Perth. Meghann is a good substitute coming off her appearance in the final of the 2007 US Open Mixed Doubles and a strong year in singles”. Shaughnessy will fly to the Gold Coast immediately after the match to play in the Mondial Australian Women’s Hardcourts. Under the rules of the tournament, substitutions are allowed between ties (but not during a tie). Therefore Williams and Fish will carry forward the results achieved by Shaughnessy and Fish in the opening tie without any penalty whatsoever.

Hyundai Hopman Cup will be played at Burswood Dome from 12/29/07 – 01/04/08.
The Hyundai Hopman Cup is televised on ABC TV and Fox Sports.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

hey everyone. yeah i would love serena to come out and clarify. it is quite confusing,going from an illness to its because of the injury she recieved in madrid.
i guess i just have to wait and see in the next few days if she goes and how the tournament plays out.