SERENA Williams (33) is unsure whether she will take the court against the Czech Republic tomorrow night after retiring with a knee injury at the Hopman Cup last night.
The world number one was 7-5 2-1 down and 58 minutes into her match against Australia Gold’s Jarmila Wolfe (28) when she retired with a knee injury that had forced her to pull out of her opening match last Monday.
Williams said she had inflammation in her left knee “that’s been going away slowly” but was still there.
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READ NOW“I’m not making any decisions now, I’m just taking it one day at a time,” she said.
Wolfe broke Williams’ serve in the opening game, winning the first set 7-5 and said although Williams was not at full fitness she still had to serve well to win.
The Australian had no hard feelings about the abrupt end to the match.
“I played a good match regardless of what just happened,” Wolfe said.
“She joked ‘thanks for not making me move much’.
“I’ve been playing for 15 years and wear Venus’ (Williams’ sister) clothes and am friends with her but I haven’t seen Serena much.
“Of course we’re going to say hi and talk about her new earrings (before the match).”
Wolfe said the Hopman Cup gave her an opportunity to contest players like Serena who she did not get to play against at other tournaments.
Lleyton Hewitt (34) secured the tie for Australia Gold, beating Jack Sock (23) 7-5 6-4.
Yet again the crowd favourite, Hewitt inspired the spectators with his determination making shots that appeared impossible.
“I couldn’t wait to get out there; a fantastic atmosphere, it’s my last night match at the Hopman Cup,” Hewitt said.
“I was pretty pumped up; this is why you play the game to go out and perform on those big stages and I love playing for my country and this is one of those weeks.”
After the game, Hewitt took the opportunity to thank his parents Glynn and Cherilyn Hewitt who had been courtside at Perth Arena during his matches.
Australia Gold won the tie 3-0 after beating Sock and Vicky Duval, who stepped in for Williams, 7-6(4), 6-1 in the mixed doubles.