Sports Thread #1 For 8/20/10: Serena Williams Withdraws From The US Open

There was outside hope, but this injury is a very serious one, even if she is hoola hooping whenever she can:

Serena Williams has pulled out of the U.S. Open because she is still recovering from cutting her foot last month.

The top-ranked Williams has won three titles at Flushing Meadows, part of her 13 Grand Slam singles championships. Last year, she lost in the semifinals after a tirade at a line judge over a foot-fault call.

Williams' agent and the U.S. Tennis Association confirmed her withdrawal Friday.

It was already a wide open event with her not participating in any of the events of the US Open Series. But this injury really is a concern for her overall fitness the rest of the year.

With how she dominated at Wimbledon this year (arguably going up another level than even before), I really thought this was going to be the summer where Serena finally dominated all the way to regaining a US Open crown.

Now with her departure (as well as Justine Henin being out for the rest of the year), that will emboldened the likes of Sharapova and Clijsters, who will be disappointed gravely if they can't go all the way here (unless Azarenka plays to her abilities, with Kuznetsova showing a resurgence of late). Especially with a rusty and injured plague Venus Williams not looking at all a threat to win an elusive third US Open.