• WTA

Venus withdraws from KL comeback

ESPN staff
February 25, 2012
Venus Williams is aiming to overcome Sjogren's Syndrome © Getty Images
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Venus Williams has pulled out of next week's WTA tournament in Kuala Lumpur as she continues her battle with Sjogren's Syndrome.

Earlier this month, Williams played her first match since the 2011 US Open in a Fed Cup dead-rubber doubles victory against Belarus. However, Williams' return to the singles court has been hampered on numerous occasions by her autoimmune disease.

Meanwhile, Williams has received a wild card to play her first tournament since August at the Sony Ericsson Open in March. The 31-year-old won the event in Key Biscayne in 1998, 1999 and 2001.

Williams continues to eye a spot at this year's London Olympics in order to defend her gold medal in the women's doubles with sister Serena. But with a deadline the day after the French Open final, Williams must climb the world rankings by at least 79 places to automatically qualify.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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