Wimbledon champion Serena Williams has pulled out of the Australian Open.
The former World No 1 has yet to recover from a knee injury which has sidelined her since her victory in SW19 in July. She underwent surgery to repair a partial tear in her left quadriceps tendon on August 1.
The American was hoping to make her comeback in Melbourne to defend her title but has decided she is not fit enough to return yet.
"After conferring with my trainers and coaches, we really don't think that I've had sufficient time to prepare and train for it," Williams said.
"My knee feels great, but my rehabilitation took a little longer than I expected. I'm on the courts daily, and look forward to coming back in championship form."
Williams, who won five of six Grand Slam tournaments before her injury, had surgery on August 1 to repair a partial tear in the quadriceps tendon of her left knee. She fell from No 1 after the injury and entered the year
ranked third after winning 38 of her 41 matches.
The former World No 1 has yet to recover from a knee injury which has sidelined her since her victory in SW19 in July. She underwent surgery to repair a partial tear in her left quadriceps tendon on August 1.
The American was hoping to make her comeback in Melbourne to defend her title but has decided she is not fit enough to return yet.
"After conferring with my trainers and coaches, we really don't think that I've had sufficient time to prepare and train for it," Williams said.
"My knee feels great, but my rehabilitation took a little longer than I expected. I'm on the courts daily, and look forward to coming back in championship form."
Williams, who won five of six Grand Slam tournaments before her injury, had surgery on August 1 to repair a partial tear in the quadriceps tendon of her left knee. She fell from No 1 after the injury and entered the year
ranked third after winning 38 of her 41 matches.