Venus Williams, a 2010 Finalist, Withdraws from Sony Ericsson Open

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World No. 8 Venus Williams will not participate in the Sony Ericsson Open next week due to an abdominal injury that she suffered at the Australian Open. Williams, a three-time Sony Ericsson Open champion, won the tournament in 1998, 1999 and 2001 and was a finalist last year.

"I am very sorry to not be playing in the Sony Ericsson Open this year," Williams said. "It is one of my favorite tournaments on the circuit, especially because it is so close to my home in South Florida. I look forward to returning to the tour soon."

Defending champion Kim Clijsters may or may not be in Miami due to the shoulder injury she aggravated at the BNP Paribas Open. Clijsters had the following to say in regards to her status for the Open:

"I don't know. I hope not. My intentions are—you know, I'm going to go there and I'm going to do my rehab there, and plan on, you know, playing my first round. That's what I'm planning on. I'm gonna just see every day how it goes. And I will see.

"Obviously I'm going to need a few days of rest. You know, I'm gonna probably go and have some tests done there and see. You know, the only thing my trainer is still in Belgium. The WTA physios are here. Some are only coming later this week. So I'm gonna see, you know, the people that WTA knows, who they know there. I know a lot of them are in Florida, so I think I can go and see some people there.

"But my intentions are still—you know, I'm flying to Miami, so...I will do whatever is necessary there. Then I'll see the closer I get to my match."

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