Fears grow that Williams could miss US Open

Jul 20, 2010, 16:50 GMT

New York - Serena Williams has undergone a medical procedure after cutting her foot in mysterious circumstances, with the injury now threatening to keep her from next month's start at the US Open.

Williams, the world number one who plays an extremely limited schedule by choice, Tweeted that she is being looked after by friends following the treatment.

The WTA confirmed that the 13-time Grand Slam winner will miss three summer tune-up events and admitted that her participation at Flushing Meadows from August 30 could be in doubt.

The newly crowned Wimbledon winner will not play in Istanbul next week, nor in North American hardcourt events in Cincinnati and Montreal. The injury means the 28-year-old will have played in six six WTA events during the first eight months of the season.

No explanation was given for what the WTA said was an accident in a restaurant several weeks ago when Williams apparently cut her foot. She late flew to Belgium for a one-off exhibition with Kim Clijsters.

She also attended an American social function with tapings on her foot.

Williams reached the semi-finals against Clijsters in New York a year ago, a match marked by an ugly incident where the world number one physically threatened a lineswoman, drawing a fine of around 80,000 dollars.