Sponsorship Link
Two-time U.S. Open champion Venus Williams withdrew from her second-round match of this year's tournament on Wednesday because of a chronic autoimmune disease which affects joints and energy level.
/
Just an hour before her match against 22nd seed and Wimbledon semifinalist Sabine Lisicki of Germany, Venus announced she would not be able to play further in the tournament because of her battle with Sjogren's Syndrome.
Follow us
Must Read
"I'm really disappointed to have to withdraw from this year's US Open. I have recently been diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease which is an ongoing medical condition that affects my energy level and causes fatigue and joint pain," Williams said.
"I enjoyed playing my first match here and I wish I could continue but right now I am unable to. I am thankful I finally have a diagnosis and am now focused on getting better and returning to the court soon."
As the 31-year-old American tennis star was trying to get rid of her encounters with injuries, she played in only four tournaments in the last 12 months. Before playing her first match in this year's U.S. Open, Venus had not played any match since her fourth round exit from Wimbledon.
