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Williams will not play again in 2015

World number one Serena Williams will take the rest of the year off to recover from injury.

The China Open website reported the 21-time Grand Slam champion has withdrawn from their tournament, which starts on Saturday, and the season-ending Women's Tennis Association finals in Singapore.

Williams, 34, missed the chance to seal a calendar Grand Slam when she lost in the US Open semi-finals in September.

"It's no secret I've played injured most of the year," said the American.

"Whether it was my elbow, my knee, or, in the final moments after a certain match in Flushing (Meadows), my heart,"

She added: "I am taking a proactive step and withdrawing from tournaments in Beijing and Singapore to properly address my health and take the time to heal.