US Open 2018: Serena Williams Handed Boost, Seeded 17th

Former women's No. 1 Serena Williams was named as the 17th seed for the upcoming US Open that takes place from Aug. 27 to Sept. 9.

The US Open usually uses the WTA rankings as their criteria for selecting the seeds but on Tuesday, tournament organizers revealed Williams, currently ranked 26 in the world, would be moved up.

"After balancing a variety of factors, including her return to competition following the birth of her daughter, her recent hard-court performance this summer and recognition of her achievements at the U.S. Open, the USTA has moved Serena Williams’ seeding nine spots, from 26 to 17," USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier said, according to the New York Post. "We feel this is the appropriate decision, one that recognizes Serena and is fair to the remaining seeded players."

Williams will be taking part at the US Open for the first time since 2016 after missing out on last year's event due to her maternity leave.

Since returning to action in March, the American used her protected No. 1 ranking to enter tournaments, however, wasn't allowed to be seeded as the topic became a widespread debate, especially during the French Open in May. By not being seeded, she faced the prospect of playing a higher-ranked opponent early on in a tournament.

However, Williams was named the 25th seed for Wimbledon last month, despite being ranked 183 at the time, and the US Open have seemingly followed suit. She went on to reach the final of the competition before losing to Angelique Kerber.

However, she suffered the most lopsided defeat of her career after a 6-1, 6-0 loss to Johanna Konta in the first round of the Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose, California, in July.

The 36-year-old then withdrew from the Rogers Cup before taking part in the Cincinnati Open where she exited in the second round after a 3-6, 6-2, 3-6 defeat to Petra Kvitova. She later revealed she learned the killer of her half-sister Yetunde Price was released on parole, just minutes before her loss to Konta.

"I couldn’t shake it out of my mind," Williams said. "It was hard because all I think about is her kids and what they meant to me. And how much I love them. No matter what, my sister is not coming back for good behavior. It’s unfair that she’ll never have an opportunity to hug me."

"But also … The Bible talks about forgiveness. I’m not there yet. I would like to practice what I preach, and teach [my daughter] Olympia that as well. I want to forgive. I have to get there. I’ll be there," she said.

Williams is notably ranked one place below her sister Venus for the US Open. Simona Halep is the top seed while defending US Open champion Sloane Stephens is the third seed.

Williams last won the US Open in 2009 and a win this year would see her equal Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam titles.