Venus pulls out of Tokyo clash with Serena

Wimbledon champion Venus Williams has pulled out of next month's Toyota Princess Cup in Tokyo in order to avoid a possible clash with younger sister Serena, tournament organisers confirmed on Tuesday.

"The word that has trickled down from the WTA (tour) was that Venus doesn't like playing against her sister. She has officially withdrawn her entry," a tournament official said.

The decision by the world number four to withdraw from the $565,000 event was apparently made after a discussion with Serena and father Richard, who coaches both sisters.

The sisters have been accused of "dodging" each other in the past, while Richard Williams has even had to fend off rumours that he predetermines the outcome of matches in which his daughters face each other.

Serena, the defending Toyota Princess Cup champion, will play in the September 17-23 tournament as planned, along with fellow American and world number two Jennifer Capriati, who won the first two grand slams of the year in Melbourne and Paris.

Spain's Arantxa Sanchez Vicario and Yugoslavia's Jelena Dokic will also be present, organisers confirmed.

Belgian teenager Kim Clijsters, who lost to Capriati in the French Open final, is a late addition to the draw, while former world number one Martina Navratilova is scheduled to play doubles.