Serena Williams withdraws from Qatar Open, citing back injury

DOHA, Qatar, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- World No. 1 and last-year's Qatar Open runner-up Serena Williams withdrew from the upcoming event Friday, citing a back injury.

Tournament officials indicated Williams will skip the Doha event after sustaining the injury during the Australian Open.

The Qatar Open is set for Feb. 10-16.

Williams beat Victoria Azarenka in the finals of the season-opening event at Brisbane last month before falling in an upset to Serbian Ana Ivanovic in the fourth round in Melbourne.

The reigning U.S. and French Open champion has entered next month's WTA Tour event at Indian Wells, which she had boycotted since 2001.

Her next Grand Slam event is the French Open in May.