Venus Williams has withdrawn from the first Grand Slam of the season after suffering an injury in Auckland.
The 42 year-old American has withdrawn from the Australian Open after suffering an injury at the ASB Classic in Auckland.
Williams had received a wildcard to the Australian Open as she hoped to win her first singles title in Melbourne.
However the American has had to withdraw from the tournament and her wildcard spot has now gone to Australian Kimberly Birrell.
It’s not clear what the injury is and when in the tournament it was suffered but it could have been during her 3-6 6-2 7-5 defeat to Lin Zhu in the second round.
This is not the first injury this season on the tour after Emma Raducanu’s ankle injury sees her a doubt for the season’s first Grand Slam tournament.
The Brit suffered the injury during her second round match with Viktoria Kuzmova and faces a race against time to compete in Melbourne.
There is also doubt over Iga Swiatek after the world number one withdrew from the tournament in Adelaide due to a shoulder injury.
Swiatek was in tears after her 6-2 6-2 defeat to Jessica Pegula in the United Cup and looks to be ready for the first Grand Slam of the year.
The Australian Open starts on the 16th of January where there will be a new champion from last year after Ash Barty retired after last year’s tournament.