Venus Williams has been forced to pull out of the U.S. Open due to illness.
The former world number one has revealed that she has recently been diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome and has struggled with fatigue and joint pain.
While Williams was unseeded at Flushing Meadows she had made an impressive start to her campaign with a 6-4-63 victory over Vesna Dolonts.
She was set to play Sabine Lisicki in the second round but pulled out of the event in a bid to get better.
Speaking to Reuters she said: "I'm really disappointed to have to withdraw from this year's US Open," she said.
"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.
"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."
And Williams was not the only one to pull out yesterday as Robin Soderling also pulled out of his first round match with Louk Sorensen.
The Swede has been seeded fifth at this year's Open but has been sidelined since Wimbledon. the nature of his illness is not known.
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