Serena Williams explained her decision to pull out of next week's Fed Cup final on Sunday, saying she was physically and mentally exhausted.
The 28-year-old, who has not played for the United States in the team competition since 2007, withdrew on Saturday, just days after being named in the squad to face Italy.
"I definitely really wanted to go, but I don't think I would do well physically," Williams, who beat sister Venus to win the WTA Championships on Sunday, told reporters.
Williams, who will end the year as world number one after winning five matches in six days in exhausting heat and humidity in Doha, finished the event with her left thigh heavily strapped.
"It's very difficult to play such a mental, mental week and then come back and play again right now I'm just struggling in every aspect of my body."
Venus, with whom Serena won the Olympic gold medal last year, is not in the team either it is a major blow to American hopes of winning the competition for the first time since 2000.
"It's a very difficult decision that I actually couldn't make myself," she said.
"I had to get input from my mum and my dad. People that are close to me had to just basically tell me what I needed to do as opposed to me making the decision."
The American team for the Fed Cup clash consists of Melanie Oudin, Alexa Glatch, Serena's replacement Vania King and doubles specialist Liezel Huber.
(Editing by Ed Osmond)
Comment 1 - 6 of 6
polly1, don't deceive yourself. Every player plays for money, just like Clijsters who is waiting for another grand slam. Even thoufgh Kutsenova knew she would not progress, she tried to beat Dementieva because she would obtain 100,000 from that win.
ivan66ivan, Serena deservews to be treated if she holds the key to US win. But am afraid now that there is nothing she can do. Just like the rest of the players she is exhausted from the Doha war. There,nobody comes to your rescue. Ask Wozniacki
EXHAUSTED HASNT PLAYED HALF AS MANY GAMES AS CAROLINE W0ZNIACKI-- YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THE MONEY IVAN THATS ALL SHE SEES DOLLAR SIGNS - GOOD LUCK TO ITALIAN TEAM I LIKE FLAVIA PENNETTA-WASNT THE ONLY ONE WITH STRAPPED LEG -LOOK AT THE COURAGE AND DETERMINATION OF CAROLINE WOZNIACKI ONTHE FLOOR AND GOT UP AND WON THE MATCH
ivan66ivan ,ivan66ivan , ivan66ivan, what an envious creature !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE ARE GLAD SW WILL NOT BE PLAYING
HOWEVER SHE WOULD NOT BE TOO TIRED IF $$$$$$ WERE WAITING FOR HER
GOOD LUCK TO FLAVIA PENETTA TO WIN 5 - 0
ITALY -- TO WIPE THE FLOOR WITH THEIR OPPONENTS
***** WOT DEPLORABLE DECISION BY SW TO WITHDRAW FROM TEAM ,, !
IF THERE WERE CASH INCENTIVE $$$ SHE WOULD BE RUSHING TO THE VENUE ..!
NO CHANCE TO WITHDRAW IF THERE WERE MONEY WAITING TO STUFF IN HER BAG
SO GOOD LUCK TO ITALY FLAVIA PENETTA & TEAM TO WIPE THEIR OPPONENTS OFF THE MAP
HOPE ITALY CAN SUCCEED TO WIN 5 - 0
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