Serena withdraws from Tokyo and Beijing events

NEW YORK (Reuters) — Serena Williams has pulled out of hardcourt events in Tokyo and Beijing while she continues to recover from surgery on her right foot, but the world number one remains hopeful of a return this season.

Williams, who has not played since she won her 13th grand slam at Wimbledon earlier this year, had surgery after she cut her foot on broken glass at a restaurant in July. The injury will keep her from competing at the Pan Pacific Open and China Open tournaments over the next two weeks.

“While I have continued to make progress in the recovery of my foot injury, unfortunately I am still not ready to compete,” Williams said on the WTA website. “In the meantime I am focused on my rehab program and remain optimistic to return to competition this season."