Restaurant accident forces Serena into surgery

(EPA)

Serena Williams revealed at the weekend that she needs surgery on her right foot after cutting it on a broken glass at a restaurant.

The top-ranked women's player was injured last week and will miss three tournaments leading up to the US Open.

Williams has withdrawn from tournaments in Istanbul, Cincinnati and Montreal. The WTA Tour website offered no details about what happened at the restaurant. "I'm so upset I won't be able to play in the upcoming events because of this foot surgery," Williams said on the website. "Thank you for all of your support. I can't wait to get back on the courts."

On 8 July, days after winning her fourth Wimbledon crown and 13th major title, Williams played with an injured foot against Kim Clijsters in an exhibition in Brussels before a world-record tennis crowd of 35,681. Two days later, she attended the wedding of NBA Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony in New York. In a photo, it appeared she had two bandages on the top of her right foot.

The Rogers Cup, in Montreal, begins on 16 August and the US Open starts on 30 August.

After winning the Australian Open at the end of January, Williams was sidelined through April because of an injured left knee. She lost in the French Open quarter-finals in June before capturing the Wimbledon title.

She has won the US Open three times, in 1999, 2000 and 2008, on the last occasion beating Jelena Jankovic in the final.