Washington: Venus Williams, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, has withdrawn from the Australian Open, due to the autoimmune disease Sjogren’s syndrome.
In a posting on her website, the US star said that she has been making progress and plans to return to WTA Tour play in February, when events begin in the United States.
“I regret to announce that I am withdrawing from the 2012 Australian Open,” Williams said on her website.
“After several months of training and treatment, I am making steady progress to top competitive form.
Williams, whose ranking has slipped to 100th in the world, pulled out of last week’s WTA event in Auckland because of the illness, which saps her energy and causes pain in her joints.
The 31-year-old posted a Twitter message saying she was doing better, hinting she might be ready for the Melbourne fortnight that begins on Monday.
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