Serena joins sister in quitting for the tennis year

Oct 20, 2010, 18:25 GMT

New York - Serena Williams has joined sister Venus in ending her season early, playing the last of her six events at Wimbledon during the summer.

The world number two said on her website that she has re-injured a mysterious foot injury sustained on what is said to have been cut glass at a Munich restaurant after her Wimbledon title and will take no further part this WTA season.

'It is with deep frustration that I am withdrawing from the WTA Championships at Doha and the Fed Cup final. Pushed by my desire to return to competition, I trained too hard too soon and re-tore the tendon in my foot.

'As a result, Monday morning I had to have another procedure to repair it. I thank everyone for their continued support during this difficult time and look forward with strength and determination to getting back on the court.'

Sister Venus also pulled the plug a few weeks ago, citing a knee injury. The absences mean that neither will play for the US in the Fed Cup final against Italy in California and both will miss the year-end championships next week in Doha.

Serena, a 13-time Grand Slam champion, had earlier said she would play in Tokyo, Beijing and Linz, Austria, but was a no-show at all the events. Her excuse for Linz came at the last minuted after organisers had thought she was on her way across the Atlantic.

The younger Williams has been keeping a high profile off court, attending fashion and show business functions in Europe and the US and flirting with her on-again, off-again rapper boyfriend Common just a few weeks ago in pictures taken on a Florida beach.