Venus Pulls Out of US Open

Fans of Venus Williams were in for a huge disappointment after the 2-time US Open champion announced that she was pulling out of the US Open.

The sudden pull-out came after Venus was diagnosed with Sjörgen’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease characterized by fatigue and joint pain. Venus had previously won twice in Flushing Meadows, once in 2000 and again in 2001. She was also a few points away from a spot in the finals in the previous year but could not topple eventual champion Kim Clijsters.

Williams explained in her statement in the Open’s official website:

“I’m really disappointed to have to withdraw from this year’s US Open. I have been recently diagnosed with Sjögren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disease which is an ongoing medical condition that affects my energy level and causes fatigue and joint pain. I enjoyed playing my first match here and 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.”

She had played her first matches in two months on Monday, where she defeated Vesna Dolonts and was slated to face off against Sabine Lisicki in the second round. Plans for the Open were abruptly put to a halt upon her diagnosis. Sjorgen`s syndrome is a chronic illness where the white blood cells start attacking the moisture producing glands of the body. Sufferers typically experience dry eyes and mouth. Joint pain and arthritis are reported in some cases.

An expert on the disease has commented that the symptoms of the disease are not life-threatening nor are they career-ending. However, this diagnosis is yet another addition to Wiliams’ long line of health-related problems which has been plaguing her since the start of the year. An abdominal pain injury she suffered in the Australian Open caused her to miss the warm-up tournaments prior to the US Open. Wiliams and her reps have not yet given any comment on when she would play on the court again.