BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Venus Williams will not play for the U.S. in the Fed Cup semifinals against Russia this weekend, joining her sister Serena on the sidelines.
U.S. captain Mary Joe Fernandez said Williams told her of the decision Wednesday morning. Fernandez had been holding out a spot for the matches, hoping at least one of the sisters would recover from leg problems in time to compete.
Fernandez said Wednesday that Venus did everything she could to get ready but is just “not quite there.” She wore wraps on both legs in the tournament final April 3 in Key Biscayne, Fla.
The team includes Melanie Oudin, Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Liezel Huber. Fernandez will fill the final spot with Christina McHale or Sloane Stephens.
