Venus Williams ruled out of Australian Open with injury, Kim Birrell handed wildcard place in singles draw

Venus Williams will miss the Australian Open after withdrawing from the event with injury.

Williams, 42, a former two-time finalist, had been awarded a wildcard for the tournament.

However, the seven-time Grand Slam winner picked up an injury at the recent ASB Classic warm-up event in Auckland.

“Venus Williams has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to an injury sustained at the ASB Classic in New Zealand,” confirmed the Australian Open twitter account.

Australia’s Kim Birrell will be awarded her wildcard place.

This year would have been Williams’ 22nd appearance at the Grand Slam, where she lost the 2003 and 2017 finals, both to sister Serena.

Competing with her sibling, the pair have won four doubles titles in Melbourne.

The world No. 1 picked up an off-season hamstring injury that will keep him out of action.

“When I was at my best in preseason I picked up an injury through a chance, unnatural movement in training,” he wrote on Twitter.

“This time it’s the semimembranosus muscle in my right leg.

“I’d worked so hard to get to my best level for Australia but unfortunately I won’t be able to play the Care A2+ Kooyong [exhibition event] or the Australian Open.”

The Australian Open gets underway at Melbourne Park on January 16.

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