Williams latest star to skip Miami Open

Serena Williams is the latest Grand Slam champion to withdraw from the Miami Open.

Williams pulled out Sunday, citing recent oral surgery. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer announced earlier they would skip the tournament, which begins Tuesday.

Djokovic pulled out Friday, citing coronavirus restrictions.

The tournament is allowing only 750 fans on the grounds per session.

Nadal pulled out Tuesday, citing his bad back. Federer, mounting a comeback from knee surgery, withdrew March 1. They’re based overseas, as is Djokovic.

Williams, who lives in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, has won the event a record eight times, most recently in 2015.

“Miami is a special tournament for me because it’s my home,” she said in a statement. “I am sad I won’t be able to see the incredible fans this year, but I look forward to coming back soon.”

Baseball: Reds 1B Joey Votto returned to camp after sitting out with COVID19. Votto, 37, left camp March 10 and had been isolated since. There’s no timetable yet for when he will play.

NBA: The league fined Raptors coach Nick Nurse $50,000 for throwing his face mask behind the scorer’s table and toward the stands, plus for directing profanity toward game officials before leaving the floor at the end of 115-112 loss to the Jazz on Friday. The Jazz took 41 free throws, compared with the Raptors’ 14.

NHL: Jesper Bratt scored at 2:50 mark of OT and the Devils beat the host Penguins 2-1 on Sunday.

Soccer: Kelechi Iheanacho’s double sent Leicester into the semifinals of the FA Cup for the first time in 39 years with a 3-1 victory over visiting Manchester United. Leicester will face Southampton and Manchester City will play Chelsea