Williams told tournament director Craig Tiley she had not fully recovered from foot surgery this summer. She has not competed since winning the title at Wimbledon in July.

"Serena is a great champion and we will miss her in January," Tiley said in announcing the withdrawal. "We send her our very best wishes for a speedy recovery."

Williams has reached the finals of the Australian Open five times and has won every one of them. She won the last two Australian titles as well as
in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

She also announced she would miss the Hopman Cup, played in Perth prior to the Australian Open.

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