Photo: Julian Finney/GettyVenus Williamshas dropped out of the 111th Australian Open.Organizers announced on Twitter early Saturday morning that the seven-time Grand Slam winner, 42, has been forced towithdraw from the upcoming Melbourne-based tournamentafter sustaining an injury this week while competing at the ASB Classic in New Zealand.Taking her wildcard spot in the tournament will be Australia’s Kim Birrell.Venus made her Australian Open debut in 1998 and has competed in the tournament 21 times.Along with her sisterSerena Williams, she previously won the women’s doubles tennis title at the Australian Open in 2001, 2003, 2009 and 2010. The athlete also beat out her sibling for the women’s singles title in 2003 and 2017.The former singles and doubles No. 1 competed this week in the ASB Classic, where she beat out fellow AmericanKatie Volynets7-6 (4) 6-2 in the opening round. Williams lost in the next round to China’sZhu Lin3-6 6-2 7-5.William’s Australian Open exit came hours after current men’s singles No. 1Carlos Alcarazalso withdrew due to an injury sustained during training.“When I was at my best in preseason,I picked up an injurythrough a chance, unnatural movement in training,” the Spanish player wrote on Twitter. “This time it’s the semimembranosus muscle in my right leg.RELATED VIDEO:Serena WilliamsThanks Sister Venus After Final Match: ‘Wouldn’t Be Serena If There Wasn’t Venus’“I’d worked so hard to get to my best level for Australia but unfortunatelyI won’t be able to playthe Care A2+ Kooyong or the Australian Open. It’s tough, but I have to be optimistic, recover and look forward. See you in 2024 @AustralianOpen,” Alcaraz, 19, added in a follow-up tweet.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The Australian Open kicks off Monday, Jan. 16 at Melbourne Park, and runs through Sunday, Jan. 29.
Photo: Julian Finney/Getty
Venus Williamshas dropped out of the 111th Australian Open.Organizers announced on Twitter early Saturday morning that the seven-time Grand Slam winner, 42, has been forced towithdraw from the upcoming Melbourne-based tournamentafter sustaining an injury this week while competing at the ASB Classic in New Zealand.Taking her wildcard spot in the tournament will be Australia’s Kim Birrell.Venus made her Australian Open debut in 1998 and has competed in the tournament 21 times.Along with her sisterSerena Williams, she previously won the women’s doubles tennis title at the Australian Open in 2001, 2003, 2009 and 2010. The athlete also beat out her sibling for the women’s singles title in 2003 and 2017.The former singles and doubles No. 1 competed this week in the ASB Classic, where she beat out fellow AmericanKatie Volynets7-6 (4) 6-2 in the opening round. Williams lost in the next round to China’sZhu Lin3-6 6-2 7-5.William’s Australian Open exit came hours after current men’s singles No. 1Carlos Alcarazalso withdrew due to an injury sustained during training.“When I was at my best in preseason,I picked up an injurythrough a chance, unnatural movement in training,” the Spanish player wrote on Twitter. “This time it’s the semimembranosus muscle in my right leg.RELATED VIDEO:Serena WilliamsThanks Sister Venus After Final Match: ‘Wouldn’t Be Serena If There Wasn’t Venus’“I’d worked so hard to get to my best level for Australia but unfortunatelyI won’t be able to playthe Care A2+ Kooyong or the Australian Open. It’s tough, but I have to be optimistic, recover and look forward. See you in 2024 @AustralianOpen,” Alcaraz, 19, added in a follow-up tweet.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The Australian Open kicks off Monday, Jan. 16 at Melbourne Park, and runs through Sunday, Jan. 29.
Venus Williamshas dropped out of the 111th Australian Open.
Organizers announced on Twitter early Saturday morning that the seven-time Grand Slam winner, 42, has been forced towithdraw from the upcoming Melbourne-based tournamentafter sustaining an injury this week while competing at the ASB Classic in New Zealand.
Taking her wildcard spot in the tournament will be Australia’s Kim Birrell.
Venus made her Australian Open debut in 1998 and has competed in the tournament 21 times.
Along with her sisterSerena Williams, she previously won the women’s doubles tennis title at the Australian Open in 2001, 2003, 2009 and 2010. The athlete also beat out her sibling for the women’s singles title in 2003 and 2017.
The former singles and doubles No. 1 competed this week in the ASB Classic, where she beat out fellow AmericanKatie Volynets7-6 (4) 6-2 in the opening round. Williams lost in the next round to China’sZhu Lin3-6 6-2 7-5.
William’s Australian Open exit came hours after current men’s singles No. 1Carlos Alcarazalso withdrew due to an injury sustained during training.
“When I was at my best in preseason,I picked up an injurythrough a chance, unnatural movement in training,” the Spanish player wrote on Twitter. “This time it’s the semimembranosus muscle in my right leg.
RELATED VIDEO:Serena WilliamsThanks Sister Venus After Final Match: ‘Wouldn’t Be Serena If There Wasn’t Venus’
“I’d worked so hard to get to my best level for Australia but unfortunatelyI won’t be able to playthe Care A2+ Kooyong or the Australian Open. It’s tough, but I have to be optimistic, recover and look forward. See you in 2024 @AustralianOpen,” Alcaraz, 19, added in a follow-up tweet.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The Australian Open kicks off Monday, Jan. 16 at Melbourne Park, and runs through Sunday, Jan. 29.
source: people.com
