Venus Williams Withdraws From US Open

Two-time US Open champion Venus Williams announced her withdrawal from this year’s tournament just before she was due to play her second round match against No. 22 Sabine Lisicki of Germany on Wednesday, August 31. Williams had missed much of the 2011 tennis season with a hip and abdominal injury and then was hit with a virus late in the summer. In a statement regarding her withdrawal, Williams said she has finally received a diagnosis for her illness.

“I’m really disappointed to have to withdraw from this year’s US Open. I have been recently diagnosed with Sjögren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disease which is an ongoing medical condition that affects my energy level and causes fatigue and joint pain. I enjoyed playing my first match here and wish I could continue but right now I am unable to. I am thankful I finally have a diagnosis and am now focused on getting better and returning to the court soon,” she said.