Venus Williams Illness: Updates on Tennis Star's Status and Return

Venus Williams withdrew from the Western and Southern Open Tuesday night due to an illness, according to the New York Times' Ben Rothenberg. 

Continue for updates. 

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Williams Drops Out With Viral Illness

Tuesday, August 18

After defeating Zarina Diyas in straight sets Monday night, Williams was slated to square off against Ana Ivanovic Tuesday evening before she fell ill.

Coming off of back-to-back first-round exits at the WTA Istanbul Cup and Rogers Cup, Williams could have used this week's proceedings in Cincinnati as a nice tuneup for the U.S. Open, which is slated to begin Aug. 31. 

In 2015, Williams is 23-10 with just one singles title. That triumph came all the way back in January at the WTA ASB Classic, when the world No. 22 dispatched Caroline Wozniacki in three sets to capture the championship. 

However, it's been all downhill the rest of the year, as Williams has qualified for just one semifinals—the WTA Qatar Total Open—since that victory.  

But at this rate, the 35-year-old can't worry about past failures. Instead, she needs to focus on getting back to full strength and entering the U.S. Open at full strength a year after she was bounced in the third round by Sara Errani.