体坛英语新闻：Venus Williams quits Miami due to injury

WASHINGTON, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The eighth-ranked American tennis star Venus Williams has pull out of next week's Miami Masters with an abdominal injury, organizers confirmed on Thursday.

"I am very sorry to not be playing," said Venus in a statement. "Miami is one of my favorite tournaments on the circuit, especially because it is so close to my home in South Florida. I look forward to returning to the tour soon."

The Williams sisters have been bothered with a series of injuries. Venus last played on Jan. 21 when she retired in the Australian Open third round after just one game against German Andrea Petkovic.

Venus's younger sister, 11th-ranked Serena remains sidelined after being hospitalized two weeks ago for a blood clot in a lung.