Seven-times Grand Slam champion Venus Williams pulled out of this month's Australian Open due to injury, the organisers of the season's first Grand Slam said on Saturday.
Williams was set to play her 22nd Australian Open after being awarded a wildcard to the January 16-29 tournament.
The 42-year-old American, twice a finalist at Melbourne Park who is now ranked outside the top 1,000, was preparing for the tournament at the Auckland Classic, where she got injured.
"Venus Williams has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to an injury sustained at the ASB Classic in New Zealand," the Australian Open said in a tweet.
Williams crashed out of the US Open in the first round with a loss to unseeded Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck. He only returned to action in Auckland, where she downed compatriot Katie Volynets before losing to China's Zhu Lin.
Australia's Kimberly Birrell was awarded her wildcard place.
Alcaraz beats error-prone Shelton to win Paris Masters
BC Partners seeks control of LIV Golf from Saudi wealth fund
Rahm marks DP World Tour return with victory in Abu Dhabi
Khalifa Al Kaabi reaches last 16 at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics
Serbia’s Ub win FIBA 3x3 World Tour Dubai title
