Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam victor, withdrew from this month’s Australian Open owing to an injury, the tournament’s organisers announced on Saturday.
Williams received a wildcard to the tournament, which takes place from January 16 to 29. She was scheduled to compete in her 22nd Australian Open.
The 42-year-old American, who has reached the final at Melbourne Park twice and is currently not among the top 1,000 players, was hurt while practising at the Auckland Classic.
The Australian Open tweeted that Venus Williams had withdrawn owing to an injury she acquired during the ASB Classic in New Zealand.
After losing to unseeded Alison Van Uytvanck in the first round of the US Open, Williams did not play again until Auckland, where she defeated fellow countrywoman Katie Volynets before falling to China’s Zhu Lin.
Kimberly Birrell of Australia received her wildcard spot.
World No. 1 Alcaraz also withdraws from the Australian Open
Carlos Alcaraz, the current world No. 1, will also miss the Australian Open due to a leg ailment.
The 19-year-old Spaniard, who won his first Grand Slam championship at the US Open in September, disclosed he injured a muscle in his right leg while practising for the upcoming season.
Using social media to write It’s time to deal with another blow, Alcaraz remarked. I had an injury during the preseason, when I was at my best, from a random, unnatural movement during practice.
“The Care A2+ Kooyong [warm-up event] and the Australia Open will both be missed despite my best efforts to perform at my peak for Australia. Although it’s difficult, I must maintain my optimism, get better, and look ahead. See you at the Australian Open in 2024.”
For tennis championship, tennis live score, tennis court, tennis match today, latest tennis news, live tennis news, tennis court update, tennis tournament and other tennis news follow livematchupdatesnews.com.
