Venus withdraws with illness, Bartoli upset

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Wilson Blade 9

Venus Williams denied the US Open spectators a thrilling second round match against Sabine Lisicki by pulling out with an unspecified illness which was later defined as an autoimmune disease, more specifically – Sjogren’s Syndrome, which affects energy level, 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.

The final Grand Slam of the season was Williams’ only fourth tournament of the season. On top of that, she has now left two of the four with a retirement

Williams also left us without an opportunity to witness another tennis fashion shock – she’s known for working many different outfits during a Grand Slam and the dress she wore in her first round victory over Vesna Dolonts was building additional anticipation for Venus’ second match.

While the renowned American disappointed the home crowd with her absence, 19-year-old Christina McHale is making a name for herself. The young American, who defeated world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki at Cincinnati two weeks ago and then world No.16 Svetlana Kuznetsova last week at New Haven to increase the record against the Russian to 2-0, today at the US Open upset eighth seed Marion Bartoli 7-6(2) 6-2. (photo: © Neal Trousdale)

5 COMMENTS

  1. Being in good shape is part of the job for a tennis player. Take a look at Federer. We always find excuse for players who are sick and never give reward to players who don’t miss a match or prefer to puke between points rather than giving up (ex. Petkovic).

    Venus should be simply more honest: she was just scared to get a bagel from Sabine.

  2. @gregoire Umm yeah they have an even match record..Last time they met Venus won 6-26-3

    Obviously an autoimmune disease has is not an effect of a player’s fitness level.

    And name one woman on the tour besides Wozniacki, who hasn’t had an injury this year. It just makes so much since that Federer would be mentioned on a women’s tennis blog.

  3. Typo:
    Obviously, an autoimmune disorder is not an effect of a player’s fitness level. It can onset at anytime.

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