Serena Williams affirms in a stunning declaration that she will avoid the Australian Open “following advice from her medical team.”

Contending in different Australian Open competitions, her initial one tracing all the way back to 2003 – the seven-time women’s singles champion was not on the entry list that was released on Wednesday during the current year’s competition.

“Following the advice of my medical team, I have decided to withdraw from this year’s Australian Open,” Williams said in a statement.

“While this is never an easy decision to make, I am not where I need to be physically to compete.”

The news comes following Craig Tiley, the CEO of the Australian Open, stating last month that the tennis star probably would play at Melbourne Park for the competition.

Since retiring from her opening-round match at Wimbledon because of a hamstring injury, Williams has not shown up on the WTA tour – dropping her rank down to No. 41.

With the tennis star’s decision to withdrawal from the competition, many speculate this could be the last they will see the former Grand Slam champion in Melbourne.

Williams, who holds more Grands Slam singles titles (23) than some other woman, or man, will just need one more to coordinate Margaret Court’s record with 24.