Auto-immune illness forces Venus out of US Open

Will Venus Williams ever win another tournament? That was the question being asked yesterday after the seven-time Grand Slam winner was forced to withdraw from the US Open after being diagnosed with an auto-immune disease called Sjogren's Syndrome. 

Williams had been due to play Sabine Lisicki in the tournament's second round but pulled out of the match yesterday. "I wish I could continue, but right now I am unable to," Williams explained in a statement revealing her condition. "I am thankful I finally have a diagnosis and am now focused on getting better and returning to the court soon." 

Sjogren's Syndrome is a medical condition which affects the body's moisture-producing glands and causes fatigue and joint pain. According to the New York Daily the disease has no known cure (though its symptoms can be treated) and currently affects as many as 4 million Americans - mostly women. 

Given the ease with which Williams dispatched her first round opponent – beating Russia’s Vesna Dolonts 6-4 6-3 – the announcement came as a shock. The question now is whether the 31-year-old will ever return to her best. 

Williams has had a torrid year. She has only played 11 matches since reaching the 2010 US Open semi-finals and has slipped to 36th in the world rankings. Since making a comeback at Wimbledon this summer, losing in the fourth round, Williams has pulled out of two hard court tournaments blaming a 'virus'. 

Speaking after her first-round victory on Monday, Williams had given an insight into her tough year: "A lot of the battle is just trying to be fit and stay healthy... sometimes I've been losing that battle a lot." The former world number one now faces a long struggle not only to regain her health, but to save her career. ·