‘Recluse’ Serena ready for US Open after lockdown

Serena Williams said on Saturday she is pressing ahead with plans to play in the US Open despite a wave of player withdrawals from the upcoming Grand Slam event over coronavirus fears.

The 23-time Slam winner returns to tennis next week at the inaugural Top Seed Open WTA event in Lexington, Kentucky, relaunching her season after a six-month hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Williams, who was one of the first players to commit to the US Open despite the pandemic, said her plans remain unchanged, adding that she was tentatively planning to go to Europe for the rescheduled French Open.

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"I see myself doing it all if it happens," Williams said when asked about her schedule during a virtual press conference on Saturday.

"But I am not planning for the future, as tournaments got cancelled I was just like, 'Let me just work on today and see what happens.'"

The former world number one said she has spent the past six months at her home in Florida, sheltering from the threat of the coronavirus.

Williams has a history of pulmonary embolisms which have restricted her lung capacity, a factor which she said had prompted her to be a "little bit of a recluse" this year.

"I started social distancing in early March," she said.

"I don't have full lung capacity so I'm not sure what would happen to me.

"I am sure I would be okay but I don't want to find out.

"I have like 50 masks that I travel with, I don't ever want to be without one.