Venus Williams has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to an unexplained ailment suffered while competing in an event this week in Auckland, New Zealand.
Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles winner, gained a wild-card admission into the Australian Open last month to participate in her 22nd major at Melbourne Park.
However, the Australian Open announced on Saturday that Williams, 42, has withdrawn from the competition, which begins on January 16.
It did not go into detail about the injury. It is the latest setback for Williams, who last played at Melbourne Park in 2021.
Williams, a two-time Australian Open finalist, suffered ankle and knee injuries when slipping awkwardly at the net in a second-round match against Sara Errani.
