Venus Williams Pulls Out of Fed Cup Event and Paris

Written by: Staff on 26th January 2013

Venus Williams Pulls Out of Fed Cup Event and Paris

epa02537182 Venus Williams of the US reacts to losing a point to Sandra Zahlavova of the Czech Repulic at their second round match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, on 19 January 2011. EPA/JOE CASTRO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

The erratic playing schedules of the Williams sisters show no signs of changing, with Venus announcing her withdrawal from February’s Paris Indoors event as well as a Fed Cup tie against Italy in Rimini.

The 32-year-old was beaten easily in the Australian Open third round by Maria Sharapova and then lost in the doubles quarter-finals with sister Serena. The Williams handlers cited a back injury.

The Paris event might struggle slightly with the Williams’ absence as Italy’s French Open finalist Sara Errani headlines the field, backed up by 2009 Roland Garros winner Francesca Schiavone and 2011 Wimbledon trophy-holder Petra Kvitova. .

Williams professed her dismay as missing a tournament where she won it the only time she played 11 years ago. “This event was really important to me and to continue climbing up in the rankings,” said the number 26 in a statement.

“Unfortunately, I’ve suffered a back pain which has forced me to rest and miss both the Paris event and the Fed Cup the following week.”

Williams last played a WTA February match in 2010.

©Daily tennis news wire

Topics: Australian Open, Fed Cup, Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova, Sara Errani, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Venus Williams