NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Venus Williams quit the U.S. Open today after revealing she was suffering from a chronic illness that threatens her future in the sport.
The former world number one told officials she was withdrawing from the event less than an hour before she was due to play Germany’s Sabine Lisicki in the second round.
Then she dropped the bombshell, with her first public explanation of exactly what has been troubling her.
“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,” she said in a statement.
Williams said she hoped to resume playing after receiving treatment for the disease but the odds may be stacked against her reaching her best. She is already 31 and has not won a grand slam singles title in more than three years.
“I think she’s a tough girl,” Lisicki said. “I think she’ll come back.”
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