27.12.2017
Williams, who claimed the 2017 Australian Open title while pregnant, hasn't competed for nearly 11 months, taking an enforced hiatus from sport to give birth to her daughter Alexis Olympia in September. "For this reason, I have sadly announced to the organizers and now to you fans that I won't play this time in Abu Dhabi". Brian Lott, the Chief Communications Officer of Mubadala, the main sponsor of the tournament, feels the same way as Serena.