Serena Williams has been forced to withdraw from next week’s Bank of the West Classic due to an elbow injury.

The American has won the event in three of the last four years and was planning to use the tournament as the start of her hardcourt preparations for the upcoming US Open.

Williams has re-emerged as the dominant force in women’s tennis over the last 12 months and currently holds all four major titles. It means a victory at Flushing Meadows would see her become only the fourth woman to complete the calendar Grand Slam.

However, she has recently been suffering with a problem in her right elbow, an injury that also forced her to withdraw from July’s Swedish Open.

It appears the issue has not been fully resolved over the last few weeks and the 33-year-old has now confirmed she will not be able to compete in Stanford.

Williams said in a statement: “I’m disappointed to have to withdraw from the Bank of the West Classic, but I need to get my elbow back to 100 percent.

“The tournament is one of my favourites and the fans have always been so generous and supportive of me. I wish all of the players much success and I hope to return next year.”

Despite her ongoing injury problems, the world number one remains the clear 2.10 favourite to win the upcoming US Open.

The resurgent Victoria Azarenka currently follows her in the betting at 6.50, while great rival Maria Sharapova is 8.00 and Simona Halep 11.00.