Venus Williams Out Of Australian Open 2012: Tennis Star Withdraws From The Year's 1st Major

MELBOURNE, Australia — Venus Williams withdrew from the Australian Open on Monday, 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 on Twitter and her website that she wouldn't play in the year's first major tournament, which starts next week. She added, though, that she plans to be back in action next month.

Williams hasn't played competitively since Aug. 29 at the U.S. Open. Two days later, she pulled out of that tournament, revealing that she'd been diagnosed with Sjogren's 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."

The 31-year-old American is a former No. 1 who is 100th in this week's WTA rankings. She's dealt with a series of health problems, including a hip injury that forced her to withdraw from last year's 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 she'd been feeling this way: "It was just energy-sucking, and I just couldn't 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 this month. It's not clear whether Serena will be able to play at the Australian Open.

Comments

[american collage]

05:03 PM on 02/01/2012

Venus and Serena - you have spent over half of your lives in the face of the tennis world. I cannot see anyone in this lifetime or any other achieving more than you.

I wish you would find a happier life now, and put tennis behind you. Maybe train the youth of the future.

You have won enough money and championships to last for a few lifetimes and generations.

At the age you are now, do some fun things and spend some of that money while you are still young and strong enough to enjoy it.

Go back on QVC and HSN - your fashion sense is sensational.

You have flown for a long time - you too deserve to rest. Get into movies - books - anything you do is more than likely to sell.

Maybe even fall in love and start a family. You have so many gifts. Stop being so hard on yourselves, and let someone else take responsibility for the tennis world.

I pray you both stay healthy...Let go...and let God.

[AlwaysAnObie]

11:33 PM on 01/14/2012

Pulling for Venus.

[TomMartin]

02:18 AM on 01/13/2012

That is so sad. I hate diseases.

[blade1]

07:00 AM on 01/12/2012

I wish her a speedy recovery and return. She's a remarkable player, a joy to watch, with style and class!

[Kiranitisme]

09:59 PM on 01/11/2012

Who the F*%k cares!

[AbeMartin]

08:54 AM on 01/11/2012

That's a tough diagnosis. I have very much enjoyed her athleticism and competitiveness since she burst into prominence as a teenager with beaded hair. I hope that some sort of treatment and cure is developed to provide relief to her and to the other millions of people who suffer from this disease.

[Highball]

08:19 PM on 01/10/2012

That's too bad for her. I've never liked her, but I don't wish sickness on anyone.

My favorite players are all Russians, for the most part.

[TomMartin]

02:19 AM on 01/13/2012

Russians can't even elect a decent government.

[Highball]

12:25 PM on 01/13/2012

Has nothing to do with the fact that they produce a lot of 6' blonde beauties with long legs who can pound the tennis ball.

Plus, most of the Russian players live here, with the exception of Dementieva and a couple of others.

[LogicalMathMan]

07:02 PM on 01/10/2012

Here's wishing her well and a speedy recovery. She was always my favorite sis, probably because she is introverted compared to Serena. Last year was not a good year for them even in their personal lives, having lost a step-sister in an unfortunate shooting.

[Don T]

06:39 PM on 01/10/2012

Venus needs to go get an evaluation from Dr. Mark Hyman. If you want to cure your autoimmune disease, get treated with functional medicine!

[RusStyles]

05:36 PM on 01/10/2012

V has had a stellar career. Obviously it's her call, but I hope she doesn't drag her remarkable run out, and start losing to qualifiers. One of the many things I admire about the WSs is their diverse interests. They're well prepped--mentally and fiscally--to have successful post-tennis careers...

What's unfortunate is America has no women on the circuit to carry the baton when both sisters retire.

[smardy]

04:40 PM on 01/10/2012

so, which of the auto immune diseases is it, that Ms. Williams has?

[pmitchell53]

04:54 PM on 01/10/2012

She has Sjogren's (Show grin) Syndrome which is in the arthritis family because the cause is unknown which most auto immune diseases are. It attacks the moisture producing parts of one's bdy also. I have Sjogrens. Although I do not have fatigue, I do suffer from joint pain, dry mouth and dry eyes.

[AbeMartin]

08:55 AM on 01/11/2012

Read up and learn, smardy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sjogren%27s_syndrome

[choctaw80]

04:17 PM on 01/10/2012

i am sorry that she is sick but i have always thought she s/b playing in the men's division anyway.

[indywoman]

01:09 PM on 01/11/2012

Why on earth?

[I AM THAT]

03:34 PM on 01/10/2012

the time is nigh for the williams sisters. Thanks for the long and exciting run.

[AbeMartin]

08:58 AM on 01/11/2012

I can't imagine what women's tennis would have been like without Venus, Serena and Kim Clijsters. They, at least have been fierce competitors for over ten years and have battled for their major wins. The rest of the field are largely interchangeable and highly forgettable.

[I AM THAT]

12:11 PM on 01/11/2012

anna K. may not be a great champion, but she she is hardly forgettable!

[indywoman]

01:10 PM on 01/11/2012

I don't mean any offense, but who are you to decide when they are done...?

[I AM THAT]

01:24 PM on 01/11/2012

I am not deciding. Nature is. There comes a time at that level of competitive sports that age plays a factor. They have reached that point. SO, TIME IS INDEED, NIGH.

[Susan Mcmahon]

03:25 PM on 01/10/2012

i am truly sorry to hear you ha an autoimmune disease that has effected your tennis games you are an amazing player and i will keep you in my prayers

[jfoster13]

03:04 PM on 01/10/2012

Time catches up with everyone and I think that it's about time they consider retirement. They both have great achievements and have added tremendously to the history of their game. I wish them luck. It's time.