Venus Williams exited the Australian Open as tennis fans left heartbroken

Venus Williams has withdrawn from the Australian Open in a heartbreaking development for the 42-year-old veteran. The American champion had received a wild card to play in the grand slam tournament at Melbourne Park from January 16.

However, the organizers announced on Saturday that he was forced to withdraw due to an injury sustained at the ASB Classic in Auckland. Australia’s Kim Birrell has been given a wild card as a result of Williams’ withdrawal.

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The 2023 Australian Open would have been Williams’ 22nd appearance at the event. The 42-year-old has won seven grand slam singles titles and reached the Australian Open final twice. She famously lost to sister Serena in the 2017 decider while Serena was pregnant. She also lost to her sister in the final in 2003.

Williams is now on the 1003rd world ranking after the accident. She last played at the Australian Open in 2021 when she injured her ankle and knee after tripping awkwardly into the net in her second round match against Sara Errani.

Williams has struggled with injuries over the past two years and has played just four tournaments in 2022, all of which took place in the United States last August. She lost in the first round in all four events and ended her season when she was defeated by Alison van Uytvanck at the US Open.

Her 2023 season got off to a bright start with a win over American Katie Volynets in Auckland. He then lost to Chinas Zhu Lin in three sets in the second round before his injury was revealed.

Williams said he’s looking forward to it to the Australian Open when he was awarded a Wild Card in December. “I’m very excited to be back in Melbourne to compete in the Australian Open in January,” he said.

“I’ve been competing in the country for over 20 years now and the Australian community has always supported me wholeheartedly. It’s an honor to play for the fans again and I’m looking forward to making more memories at the tournament this year.”

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Fans took to social media to express their disappointment at his withdrawal on Saturday.

Carlos Alcaraz also out of the Australian Open

Williams retired just hours after the men’s World Cup number one Carlos Alcaraz also announced his absence from the Australian Open. The 19-year-old, who won her maiden grand slam title at the US Open last year, said she suffered a hamstring injury during training.

“I had worked a lot to reach my best level in Australia. Unfortunately I will not be able to play in the Care A2+ Kooyong (warm-up event) or the Australian Open,” Alcaraz wrote on social media. “It’s a difficult moment, but I have to be optimistic, recover and look forward. See you in 2024 at the Australian Open.”

The Spaniard had just recovered from a torn abdominal muscle that ruled him out of the season-ending ATP Finals and Davis Cup Finals. He added: “When I was at my best in the pre-season, I got injured by accident, an unnatural movement in training. This time it’s the semimembranous muscle of the right leg.”

His withdrawal means compatriot Rafa Nadal is the new No.1 at the first grand slam of the year. It also sees World No.5 Novak Djokovic move up in the draw and cement his place as the short-priced favorite to win his 10th title at Melbourne Park and 22nd major.

However, the Serbian star is dealing with his own injury problem after picking up an injury at the Adelaide International on Saturday night. Djokovic took a medical timeout and left the courtbut was able to beat Daniil Medvedev 6-3 6-4 to reach the final.

with agencies

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