Serena Williams withdraws from Dubai tournament due to illness

Serena Williams has withdrawn from next week's Dubai Tennis Championships.

The WTA made the announcement via Twitter on Saturday, saying Williams was battling an illness.

Williams played last weekend in the Fed Cup World Group II for the United States in a victory over Argentina after winning her 19th career Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. She has never won the Dubai tournament, reaching the semifinals three times in four previous visits.

Venus Williams is a three-time Dubai champ and will return to defend the title she won last year.

[SportsNetwork.com]