Injury forces ‘old’ Venus Williams out of Auckland Classic due to injury
American world number 17 beats New Zealand teenager Jade Lewis 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 in the first round but is unable to continue at WTA event
Venus Williams pulled out of the Auckland Classic with an arm injury on Tuesday just hours after “feeling old” in overcoming unsung teenager Jade Lewis 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 in the first round.
Tournament director Karl Budge said the world number 17 felt pain through the match in her right arm.
“I love this tournament and I’m really sad that I have to withdraw,” said the American, who was ranked 1,082 places ahead of the 18-year-old New Zealand wildcard who was playing her first WTA match.
Lewis, a niece of 1983 Wimbledon finalist Chris Lewis, had two chances to serve for the first set at 5-4 and 6-5 and she also held set point.
A photo posted by Venus Williams (@venuswilliams) on Jan 3, 2017 at 7:52pm PST
But the 36-year-old Williams shrugged off the pressure to break twice, take the tie-break 7-2 and cruise through the second set.
“The first match of the year is never perfect,” Williams said after the match.