Champion Serena Williams has withdrawn from January's Australian Open as she struggles to recover from a foot injury, which has sidelined her since July, organisers said on Thursday.
The winner of 13 Grand Slam singles titles has not played competitively since beating Vera Zvonareva to win Wimbledon in early July and has been forced to undergo a second surgery on the foot she hurt by standing on broken glass at a restaurant.
Tournament director Craig Tiley released a statement today saying Williams had withdrawn from the Hopman Cup international mixed teams competition in Perth and the Australian Open in January.
"As I recently learned, pushing myself back into my intense training too early only caused me further injury and damage," Williams was quoted as saying.
"While I desperately want to be back on the court and competing in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, it is imperative for my health that I continue to work with my doctors to ensure my foot heals properly.
"This decision, though heavy on my heart, is the right one," she added.
Williams has won the Australian Open five times, including the past two.
