World number one Serena Williams has pulled out of next week's Swedish Open after failing to recover from the illness which dramatically ended her Wimbledon campaign. The 32-year-old American star, who was the defending champion at the Bastad claycourt event, withdrew from the Wimbledon doubles event after suffering from what the WTA described as a "viral illness".
"I decided not to play in Bastad, because I am still not feeling 100%," Williams said in a statement released on Thursday. "I want to be in perfect condition to go back on court, but unfortunately it's not the case. I really hope to be able to get back to training from next week.