Serena Williams Should Skip 2012 Australian Open After Recent Ankle Injury

Veteran women's tennis star Serena Williams suffered an ankle sprain on Wednesday in the Brisbane International, and she would be wise to forgo the 2012 Australian Open to get back to full health. 

Williams told the Associated Press that she want's to play but isn't sure right now. 

"I'm going to take a couple of days off - not too many - and see how I feel, "Williams said in a statement. ''I'm still hopeful of playing the Australian Open.''

The 30-year-old followed that by saying, "I'm always thinking I can play on, but at the same time I don't want to stress it out right now." 

That would be a very smart choice because getting hurt again and extending the injury will be a crushing blow to the start of her 2012 campaign. Having missed most of the previous season, Williams has to be careful in her approach this year. 

Williams has won the Australian Open five times in her career, with the most recent one coming in 2010. Not to discredit any Grand Slam event, but the Australian Open more than likely isn't high on Williams' list.  

Although, Williams is a true competitor, meaning she would love to be playing, especially since she was out last year. That being said, though, she doesn't need to prolong the injury but putting more pressure on the ankle. 

She's used to dominating at the Australian Open before, but has had little success at the next Grand Slam, the French Open.

To truly elevate her tennis career, winning another French Open would be better, as well as Wimbledon or the U.S. Open. After all, defending the home court is always a must.

There is no need for Williams to risk further injury by playing in the 2012 Australian Open. Since it's only 12 days away, the best move for Williams is to just sit this one out and put all the focus toward getting healthy and ready for the next Grand Slam. 

It's unfortunate that she got injured right before the big tournament, but she has to accept it and look at the big picture. There are three more Grand Slam events this year, and being at 100 percent for those is her best bet.