Global tennis star Serena Williams has withdrawn from next week’s Madrid open in Spain.

The 23-time grand slam champion told the organizers that she needs more time to prepare for her first clay season since giving birth.

Serena who is slowly getting back into competitive shape, fell to an early exits at Indian wells and the Miami open in her only two previous WTA tour appearances this year.

The 36 year old Williams, is a two-time champion of the event after winning the 2012 and 2013 editions of the tournament.

Williams’s replacement in Madrid will be Coco Vandeweghe.