Venus Williams pulls out of BMW Open Kuala Lumpur tourney

Former world number one Venus Williams has pulled out of this week’s BMW Open in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The American said in a statement that she’s currently “recovering from a severe strep throat infection.”

Despite her non-participation in the tournament, she will still be making her trip to Kuala Lumpur in order to fulfill sponsor and other obligations. The seven-time Grand Slam champion is slated to speak at a women’s event which is scheduled within the week.

“I will be in Kuala Lumpur to honour my obligations to the sponsors and attend the Women@Work forum,” she said.