Tennis: Venus Williams cancels Australia Open

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Venus Williams in Washington in August

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Carolyn Kaster / dpa

Seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams has canceled her participation in the Australian Open.

Because of an unspecified injury that she sustained this week at a tournament in Auckland, New Zealand, she cannot start at the first tennis Grand Slam tournament of the year, which begins on January 16, as the organizers announced on Saturday.

The 42-year-old was given a wildcard for the Australian Open last month to be able to compete in her 22nd major at Melbourne Park.

The Australian Kim Birrell now gets her wild card place.

The five-time Wimbledon champion has struggled with injuries over the past two years and was only able to play four tournaments in the United States last August.

She didn't get past the first round and ended her season with a loss to Alison van Uytvanck at the US Open.

Świątek misses dress rehearsal

The tournament in Melbourne could also take place without the two world number ones.

The 21-year-old Pole Świątek canceled her participation in the upcoming WTA event in Adelaide because of problems with her right shoulder, it is the dress rehearsal for the Australian Open.

On Friday, Świątek, reigning winner of the French Open and the US Open, conceded a 2: 6, 2: 6 against the American Jessica Pegula at the United Cup for Poland and burst into tears.

The 19-year-old Spaniard Alcaraz announced his departure for Melbourne on Friday evening due to a muscle injury in his right rear thigh.

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