Injured Venus out of Aussie Open

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Former world number one Venus Williams has pulled out of next week's Australian Open with a wrist injury.

Williams, 26, reached the final of the event in 2003, losing to younger sister Serena, but has not made it past the fourth round at Melbourne Park since.

Williams, the world number 48, joins world number one Justine Henin-Hardenne among the absentees.

Russians Svetlana Kuznetsova and Nadia Petrova both withdrew from the Sydney International and are also doubts.

Five-time Grand Slam champion Williams battled injury throughout 2006, playing just a handful of events and withdrawing from tournaments in Moscow and Stuttgart.

Her younger sister Serena is currently back in action at the Hobart International after four months out with a knee problem.

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