Fed Cup an event too far, says Serena

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:48

Serena Williams blamed physical exhaustion for her decision to withdraw from the US team to face Italy in the Fed Cup final.

The year-end world No.1 had been called up for the first time since 2007 to lead the American team in Reggio Calabria this weekend, but is convinced that her body would not hold up just a week after her Doha triumph.

“I definitely really want to go, but I don’t think I would do well physically,” said Serena after defeating sister Venus in the final of the WTA Tour Championships.

“It’s very difficult to play such a mental week and then come back and play again. Right now I’m just struggling in every aspect of my body.

“It’s a very difficult decision that I actually couldn’t make. I had to get input from my mom 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 US team to tackle Italy will be made up of Vania King, Alexa Glatch, US Open quarter-finalist Melanie Oudin and doubles specialist Liezel Huber.

As a result of Serena’s title run in Qatar, the world No.1 has set a single-season prize money record on the women’s tour, earning $6,545,586 in 2009.

The 2009 Australian Open and Wimbledon champion has now earned nearly $30 million in her career.

“It’s incredible how much women’s tennis has grown in the last few years and that the Tour has increased our prize money so significantly,” Williams said in a statement. “We are very fortunate to have an opportunity to be so well rewarded for doing something we love.”

This season Williams eclipsed the previous record of $5,429,586 set by Belgian Justine Henin in 2007.

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