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Summary The 7-time Grand Slam title winner announced she won't play in the year's first major tournament.
Venus Williams has withdrawn from the Australian Open, prolonging her absence from the tennis tour because of an autoimmune disease that can cause fatigue and joint pain.The seven-time Grand Slam title winner announced Monday on Twitter and on her website that she wouldnt play in the years first major tournament, which starts Monday. She added, though, that she plans to be back in action next month.Williams hasnt played competitively since Aug. 29 at the U.S. Open. Two days later, she pulled out of that tournament, revealing that shed been diagnosed with Sjogrens syndrome.I regret to announce that I am withdrawing from the 2012 Australian Open. After several months of training and treatment, I am making steady progress to top competitive form. My diet and fitness regimen have allowed me to make great strides in terms of my health and I am very close to being ready to return to WTA competition, Williams said in a posting on her website Monday. I have every intention to return to the circuit in February.Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said Williams was very disappointed that she was not able to play in Melbourne.She had hoped shed be further along in her preparation but is not quite ready for Grand Slam competition, Tiley said in an email to The Associated Press. Shes an amazing champion and shes had a tough year battling illness and injury. We wish her all the best and look forward to seeing her back in Australia soon.Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki, a former doubles partner of Williams, said the Americans health must come first.Shes been unlucky with the virus thing, Wozniacki said after her second-round win Tuesday at the Sydney International. Im not completely sure what it is exactly, but the most important thing is the health.Tennis, its a game. Im sure shell come back and fight and try to come back to the top again. But most of all, the most important thing is that youre healthy. Hopefully shell be 100 percent healthy by February.The 31-year-old American is a former No. 1 who is 100th in this weeks WTA rankings. Shes dealt with a series of health problems, including a hip injury that forced her to withdraw from last years Australian Open, and a left knee injury that kept her on the sideline between Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in 2010.Since reaching the semifinals at the 2010 U.S. Open, Williams has played only 11 matches.After winning her opener at Flushing Meadows in August which was Williams first match in two months she withdrew shortly before her second-round match there.At that time, she described the way shed been feeling as energy-sucking, and I just couldnt play pro tennis.Her younger sister Serena, whose 13 Grand Slam titles include five at the Australian Open, badly sprained her left ankle at a tournament in Brisbane last week. Its not clear whether Serena will be able to play at the Australian Open, although she appeared to be training well Tuesday at Melbourne Park and free of any major concerns about her ankle.
