Williams pulls out of Doha, Qatar open because of flu

Serena Williams, world No.1 tennis player has said on Tuesday that she will miss next week’s Qatar open. She withdraws from the tournament because of the flu and this is her second consecutive tournament which she is going to miss due to illness.

Williams last played tournament was Australian open where she was defeated by Angelique Kerber in the finals. Earlier another star tennis Maria Sharapova also pulls out of the tournament due to arm injury.

Simona Halep, the world No. 2, replaces Williams and takes her place in the Qatar open.

The Qatar open tournament which is held annually in January played on hard courts since 1993 at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha.

“I unfortunately have to withdraw from the Qatar Total Open as I have come down with the flu and do not feel 100 percent,” said Serena in a statement released through the Qatar Tennis Federation.

“I need to take this time to recover but I do look forward to returning to Doha and seeing my fans soon.”