Venus Williams ruled out of Australian Open after receiving wildcard entry

The seven-time singles grand-slam winner was originally awarded a wildcard but picked up an injury at the ASB Classic in Auckland. "Venus Williams has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to an injury sustained at the ASB Classic in New Zealand," the Australian Open said in a tweet. The 42-year-old's wildcard place has now been awarded to Australian world number 173 Kim Birrell. Raducanu, meanwhile, is struggling with an ankle problem she picked up during the ASB Classic, but her team are hoping it is just a minor strain. The 2022 US Open winner has already made her way to Melbourne for the first major of 2023.