By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday June 27, 2021
Firmly focused on winning a 24th major title, Serena Williams told reporters today at Williams that she does not plan to play the Tokyo Olympics.
“I'm actually not on the Olympic list,” she said. “Not that I'm aware of. If so, then I shouldn't be on it.”
Williams, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, didn’t make clear her reasoning. She was asked a follow-up question about her decision and whether it was due to her daughter, and the fact that she’d have to be separated from her during competition.
“There's a lot of reasons that I made my Olympic decision,” Williams replied. “I don't really want to—I don't feel like going into them today. Maybe another day.”
Williams decision not to play means that World No.26 Jessica Pegula would qualify as the fourth American women’s singles player. She’d join a quartet that also includes No.6-ranked Sofia Kenn, No.15-ranked Jennifer Brady and No.23-ranked Coco Gauff.
Williams is the No. 6 seed at Wimbledon. She will kick off her bid for a 24th major title against Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus.