Serena Williams is “not where I need to be physically to compete,” and that’s why she’s pulling out of the 2022 Australian Open. 

The tennis star shared the decision in a statement posted to the Australian Open’s official Twitter account, stating she will miss the fans but is looking forward to returning and competing at her best. 

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“Following the advice of my medical team, I have decided to withdraw from this year’s Australian Open,” said Williams. “While this is never an easy decision to make, I am not where I need to be physically to compete.” 

In addition to sharing the statement, the Australian Open said, “All our love, @serenawilliams 💙 Come back stronger💪 #AusOpen.” 

Williams didn’t specify any physical difficulties in her statement, but PEOPLE reported she slipped on the court during her match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich at Wimbledon over the summer and suffered an apparent leg injury.  

She has since withdrawn from various tournaments, including the US Open, announcing back in August that her doctors and medical team didn’t feel it was best because her body needed time to fully heal from a torn hamstring. 

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Williams, who is highly regarded as one of the best tennis players of all time, holds the record for most Australian Open and US Open titles, per Tennis Life Mag. She has won 23 Grand Slam titles, more than any other active tennis player and is also the recipient of 72 World Tennis Association titles, including a record-breaking 186 weeks as the WTA’s top player. 

In her last Australian Open appearance back in February, Williams lost to fellow star Naomi Osaka.