Venus withdraws from Paris Open

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 03: Venus Williams of the USA plays a backhand in her match against Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain during day six of the Hopman Cup at Perth Arena on January 3, 2013 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 03: Venus Williams of the USA plays a backhand in her match against Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain during day six of the Hopman Cup at Perth Arena on January 3, 2013 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Published Jan 25, 2013

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Paris - Former world number one Venus Williams has pulled out of next week's Paris Open and February's Fed Cup match against Italy with a back injury.

The 32-year-old American, who has been struggling to get back to her best after suffering a serious autoimmune disease in 2011, was one of the main attractions at the French event whose top seed will be Italian world number seven Sara Errani.

“This event was really important to me and to continue climbing up in the rankings,” Williams, 26th in the standings, said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, I've suffered a back pain which has forced me to rest and miss both the Paris event and the Fed Cup the following week.”

Although Williams has pulled out, several big names will feature in Paris as the organisers handed wild cards to the 2009 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone, now 48th in the world, and 2011 Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova. – Reuters

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