Serena pulls out of TeamTennis with sights on Grand Slam

WASHINGTON — With the Grand Slam in sight, Serena Williams is not going to risk playing World TeamTennis.

Williams originally was slated to play for the Washington Kastles on Monday and Tuesday.

But in a news release Monday, the Kastles announced that Williams would miss those matches.

The No. 1-ranked Williams withdrew from the Swedish Open last week, citing an injured right elbow.

The 33-year-old American won Wimbledon this month for her fourth consecutive major title, including all three in 2015.

If she wins the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 31, she will be the first tennis player with a calendar-year Grand Slam since Steffi Graf in 1988.

— AP FILES Serena Williams, pictured at the Swedish Open on Wednesday, later withdrew from the tournament, citing an injured elbow. The 33-year-old American won Wimbledon this month for her fourth consecutive major title.