KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (AP) — Venus Williams has withdrawn from the Sony Ericsson Open because of a lingering abdominal injury that has sidelined her for nearly two months.
Williams is a three-time champion in the tournament, which begins Tuesday. She hasn’t played since retiring because of the injury in the third round of the Australian Open on Jan. 21.
A statement Thursday from the Sony Ericsson Open said that Williams is rehabilitating at home and expects to rejoin the tour soon.
Her sister Serena also is missing the tournament, having been out of action since winning Wimbledon for the fourth time in July. She underwent surgery twice for a cut on her foot and last month had a pulmonary embolism and was hospitalized to remove a hematoma.
