Serena Williams has been ruled out of this month’s WTA Finals in Singapore as she has failed to recover from a shoulder injury.

The 22-time major winner has not been in competitive action since losing to Karolína Pliskova in the semi-finals of the US Open, with the problem forcing her to pull-out of the recent tournaments in Wuhan and Beijing.

The 35-year-old had been hoping to recover in time to compete in the end of season event at Singapore Indoor Stadium, a tournament she has won on five previous occasions, but she has now confirmed that she will not be able to participate.

Williams said: “I am really, really bombed that I won’t be able to compete. It has been a really tough year for me, just dealing with my shoulder injury.”

The world number two revealed that she is now looking to continue her recovery, in a bid to be fit for the start of next season.

She added: “My doctor insists that I stay home at heal it every single day so I can have a chance to play next year.”

Williams’ absence could hand a reprieve to Britain’s Johanna Konta, who is currently the first alternative for the eight-player event, although both Carla Suarez Navarro and Svetlana Kuznetsova could pip the 25-year-old to the post, if either player secures a victory at this week’s Kremlin Cup.

The WTA Finals are due to get underway in Singapore on October 23, with world number one Angelique Kerber and defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska among the players already confirmed for the event.