Tough start of the year for Venus.
The American was so focused to be back to top tennis, but she crashed out in Melbourne in the 3rd round against Maria Sharapova winning only 4 games, to then lose the doubles with her sister Serena to Vinci and Errani.
Ranked world no.23, Venus won’t be able to play in Doha the Qatar Open after missing the WTA in Paris and the Fed Cup against Italy because of a lower back injury.
Venus will be replaced by Czech Andrea Hlavackova.