Venus out of Hopman Cup, in doubt for Australian tennis Open PERTH, Australia (AFP) - Former world number one Venus Williams has withdrawn from the Hopman Cup with a wrist injury and is in doubt for the Australian Open. Williams, one of the mixed-team event's top draws, faces a race against time to be fit for the season's first Grand Slam starting on January 15, they said. "She has been seeing the doctors and she is having a lot of trouble hitting her backhand," said Hopman Cup tournament director Paul McNamee on Thursday. He said the injury "has to cast a doubt" over her Australian Open appearance. Williams, who was playing exhibition matches against her sister Serena just a fortnight ago, joins a growing list of withdrawals from the Hopman Cup starting here on December 30. The Korean and German teams have already pulled out due to injuries. Williams has battled injury throughout a troubled 2006, playing just a handful of events and withdrawing from tournaments in Moscow and Stuttgart in October because of a problem with her left wrist. The five-time Grand Slam-winner, 26, reached the 2003 Australian Open final but bowed out in the first round of this year's event. Williams, currently ranked 46th, will be replaced in the United States team by youngster Ashley Harkleroad. --

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