<p>Venus Williams has pulled out of the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tag/australia-open" target="_blank">Australian Open </a>after picking up at injury at the Auckland Classic, organisers said.</p>.<p>The 42-year-old American had accepted a wildcard to compete in the opening Grand Slam of the year at Melbourne Park, a tournament she first played in 1998 and in which she is a two-time finalist, losing both times to sister Serena.</p>.<p>"Venus Williams has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to an injury sustained at the ASB (Auckland) Classic in New Zealand," the Australian Open tweeted late Saturday.</p>.<p>Australia's Kim Birrell will take her place.</p>.<p>Seven-time Grand Slam champion Williams produced a vintage performance in the opening round at Auckland last week, beating fellow American Katie Volynets 7-6 (7/4), 6-2. But she exited in the last 16 to China's Zhu Lin.</p>.<p>The Australian Open, which starts in Melbourne on January 16, will also be without men's world number one Carlos Alcaraz who pulled out on Friday with a right leg injury.</p>
<p>Venus Williams has pulled out of the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tag/australia-open" target="_blank">Australian Open </a>after picking up at injury at the Auckland Classic, organisers said.</p>.<p>The 42-year-old American had accepted a wildcard to compete in the opening Grand Slam of the year at Melbourne Park, a tournament she first played in 1998 and in which she is a two-time finalist, losing both times to sister Serena.</p>.<p>"Venus Williams has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to an injury sustained at the ASB (Auckland) Classic in New Zealand," the Australian Open tweeted late Saturday.</p>.<p>Australia's Kim Birrell will take her place.</p>.<p>Seven-time Grand Slam champion Williams produced a vintage performance in the opening round at Auckland last week, beating fellow American Katie Volynets 7-6 (7/4), 6-2. But she exited in the last 16 to China's Zhu Lin.</p>.<p>The Australian Open, which starts in Melbourne on January 16, will also be without men's world number one Carlos Alcaraz who pulled out on Friday with a right leg injury.</p>