WTA medical staff were on Wednesday set to carry out more medical tests on the mystery injury that forced world number one Venus Williams to pull out of the 1,244-million-dollar Tennis Masters Series event at short notice.
The American, seeded one here, told WTA officials just half an hour before her match with Russia’s Anna Kournikova was due to start on Tuesday that a wrist injury originally sustained picking up her bag would prevent her from competing.
Tour physiotherapist Philippa Stewart said she had not yet established the nature of the injury.
Asked what the problem was, Stewart said: “Actually we’re not quite sure at the moment. After I saw her we referred her to the tournament doctor (Enrica Pastore) to evaluate her.
“We are going to re-evaluate her tomorrow (Wednesday) and we’re going to see if we can get a more definitive diagnosis on the situation.”
The injury to Williams meant that tournament organisers had to hastily find an opponent for Kournikova and American Lilia Osterloh, who was warming up for a doubles match, was quickly recruited as a lucky loser, losing 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 to the Russian in a second-round match.
Former Italian tennis favourite Adriano Panatta, the tournament director, himself went to the ticket office to tell customers arriving at the Foro Italico that Williams would not be playing in the match, which was scheduled in a prime time television slot.
Williams told journalists on Tuesday that she had aggravated an injury sustained picking up her bag at the airport two days previously.
“I hit this morning,” said Williams after announcing her withdrawal. “I was OK but through the day it got worse with more swelling during the afternoon and I was not able to hit without pain.”
Asked when she had told organisers, who had scheduled the match for 8:30 pm (1830 GMT), she said: “This evening. About eight (o’clock).”
Williams said she did not think the injury was serious, saying: “I hope it won’t be serious. I will take some time off and finally see something in Rome.”
The American did not say whether she would have a scan on the injury, saying: “I don’t know.”
Asked whether she should have given the press and organisers more notice she stared at the journalist and said: “No.”
She maintained she had wanted to compete in Rome, saying: “Every tournament is important. If I had done well here I would have solidified my number one ranking.” – AFP