Australian Open: Venus Williams joins Carlos Alcaraz on injury list as Naomi Osaka withdraws
- Williams will miss Australian Open, along with men’s world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz and two-time champion Naomi Osaka
- The seven-time grand slam champion produced a vintage performance in Auckland last week, beating fellow American Katie Volynets
Venus Williams has pulled out of the Australian Open after picking up an injury at the Auckland Classic, organisers said.
The 42-year-old American had accepted a wild card to compete in the opening grand slam of the year at Melbourne Park, a tournament she first played in 1998 and in which she is a two-time finalist, losing both times to sister Serena.
“Venus Williams has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to an injury sustained at the ASB (Auckland) Classic in New Zealand,” the Australian Open tweeted late Saturday.
Williams joins a growing list of high-profile players withdrawing from the tournament. Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka on Sunday pulled out of the opening grand slam of the year barely a week before it starts.
The Australian Open, which starts in Melbourne on January 16, will also be without men’s world number one Carlos Alcaraz who pulled out on Friday with a right leg injury.
