Serena Williams withdraws from Madrid Open

Serena Williams has pulled out of next week's Madrid
Open because of illness.
The world No.1 said in a statement on the tournament's
website: "Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from
Madrid because I've been battling the flu and I'm not at
100 percent. I look forward to returning soon."
Williams has played only three tournaments this season
and is yet to win a title, losing in the final of the
Australian Open and at Indian Wells before a fourth-
round exit in Miami a month ago.

Should the 34-year-old also miss the tournament in
Rome in a fortnight, she would go into the French
Open without having played on clay since last summer.
After coming so close to winning the calendar Grand
Slam last season, Williams' dominance appears to be on
the wane, although she still has a healthy lead in the
rankings.
Agnieszka Radwanska will take over as top seed for the
tournament ahead of Australian Open champion
Angelique Kerber.
The news comes the day after Roger Federer confirmed
he would play in Madrid having previously kept his
options open.
Play begins at the Caja Magica on Saturday, with
Andy Murray and Petra Kvitova defending their titles.
Murray warmed up for the tournament by practising in
Majorca with Rafael Nadal, whom he beat in the final
12 months ago to win his first Masters title on clay.