Despite Venus Williams withdrawal from the Auckland tournament, both Williams sisters will be playing in Melbourne’s Australian Open. Aussie Open tournament director Craig Tiley said he has contacted both Venus and Serena to check up on their schedule for the rest of their Down Under events.
Williams Sisters Will Play In Australian Open, Says Tournament Director
Serena and Venus Williams will play in the Australian Open, the tournament director announced.
Venus withdrew from Auckland due to heath reasons. The seven-time Grand Slam champion has played in numerous exhibition tournament during the past month, but has had a difficult time this year staying in tournaments. Venus even withdrew from the U.S. Open due to health reasons. The older Williams sister has been undergoing treatment for Sjörgen’s syndrome, an autoimmmune disease.
Serena has also had a trying year. After stepping on a piece of glass in July 2010, Serena spent much of 2011 trying to recuperate from surgery. She also withdrew from the 2010 Australian Open. In the first week of March, she also announced that she had suffered a hematoma, a swelling blood clot, and a pulmonary embolism, a blockage of the pulmonary artery caused from a blood clot. The younger Williams sister is set to play in the Brisbane International from Jan. 1-8.
Serena is a five-time Slam champion in Melbourne
From The Australian:
“I wanted to touch base but there’s no change for her. She’s coming,” Tiley said about Venus.
As for Serena:
“For sure, she’s definitely coming. I’ve talked to her and her agent just last week and they both told me her schedule hasn’t changed,” Tiley said.
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