US Open 2011 Update: Venus Williams withdraws from tournament, reveals being diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome

The US Open 2011 Women’s Singles Draw has been littered with upsets in the first round so far, with French Open champion Li Na and Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova crashing out against Romanian opponents. Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters is a no show at Flushing Meadows due to injury. Another huge blow in the draw was the announcement of the two-time US Open champion Venus Williams that she has withdrawn from this hardcourt Slam due to having an autoimmune disease that causes fatigue and joint pain.

Venus Williams, scheduled to compete against Sabine Lisicki in the second round on Wednesday, said that she was diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome, a disease that causes fatigue and joint paint. Williams beat Vesna Dolonts of Russia in the first round on Monday.
“I enjoyed playing my first match here and wish I could continue but right now I am unable to,” Williams said in a statement released by the tournament.

“I am thankful I finally have a diagnosis and am now focused on getting better and returning to the court soon,” she added.

Her ranking after the tournament will be out of the world’s top 100 since she’ll be a losing a lot of points. She was a semifinalist last year.

Williams said that an illness caused her to skip the entire US hardcourt season this summer but did not specify the diagnosis.

Lisicki said she was ready to play against Williams but was surprised that the latter had to withdraw on such short notice.

“She’s a tough girl, and I think she’ll come back. You know, it would be unfortunate if she couldn’t,” Lisicki said.

“Serena and Venus both are amazing players, and it’s nice to have them in the women’s sport. I hope she comes back,” she added.