Serena Williams Illness: Updates on Tennis Star's Status and Recovery

Serena Williams was forced to withdraw from the Dubai Tennis Championships due to illness. 

Continue for updates.

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Williams Withdraws From Dubai

Saturday, Feb. 14

According to the Associated Press, Williams withdrew from the Dubai Tennis Championships due to her respiratory issue. 

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Williams Battling Illness, Replaced by CoCo Vandeweghe

Sunday, Feb. 8

With the United States already up 2-0 in its Fed Cup matchup against Argentina, and Serena Williams battling an illness, the United States decided to hold the superstar out of her Sunday matchup versus Paula Ormaechea.

The U.S. Fed Cup on Twitter announced the decision:

"

.@CoCoVandey to replace Serena Williams in today's first singles rubber vs. Ormaechea (illness) #USATennis #FedCup

— US Fed Cup Team (@USFedCupTeam) February 8, 2015"

Williams, 33, was expected to help the United States clinch a spot Sunday in April's playoff after defeating Maria Irigoyen 7-5, 6-0 on Saturday. But with the country owning a commanding lead over Argentina, forcing her onto the court at less than 100 percent was hardly necessary.

Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Williams, the top-ranked player in the world, has already gotten off to an excellent start in 2015, winning this year's Australian Open title over world No. 2 Maria Sharapova. She has also decided to return to Indian Wells for the first time since 2001, when she won the title but was booed in the final and vowed never to return.

It seems likely that holding Williams out of play Sunday was more precautionary than anything else. The star will likely soon enough be back on the court dominating the competition, as she has done for years now.