Serena Williams separated from umpire in fresh twist to US Open scandal

Serena Williams has got her wish.

During her infamous meltdown at the 2018 US Open, Serena told umpire Carlos Ramos he’d never be in the chair during one of her matches ever again.

And US Open officials have moved to ensure that rings true - at least for the 2019 edition of the Flushing Meadows grand slam.

US Tennis Association chief executive Stacey Allaster has revealed Ramos will not umpire Serena or Venus Williams at the upcoming US Open.

“We don’t need to go there," Allaster told the New York Times.

"There are more than 900 matches here over the three weeks, and there are lots of matches for Carlos to do.

“We want to be focused on the competition and want to go forward.”

Allaster said the move was just for 2019.

Serena racing the clock for US Open

Serena might not even be at Flushing Meadows next week after withdrawing from the Cincinnati Masters with a back issue.

Serena pulled out before her first-round match, citing the same back problem which forced her to pull out of the Rogers Cup final previously.

The American was due to face Zarina Diyas in Ohio and her latest setback places her in some doubt for the US Open.

"I am so sad to withdraw ... I came to Mason on Sunday and have tried everything to be ready to play tonight, and was still hopeful after my practice this morning," she said on the WTA site.

"But unfortunately my back is still not right and I know I should not take to the court."

The 23-time grand slam winner retired while trailing 3-1 against Bianca Andreescu in Toronto as a Canadian woman took the Rogers Cup for the first time in 50 years.

with AAP