Williams out of Miami Open

Venus Williams has been forced to withdraw from the WTA Miami Open because of tendinitis in both wrists.

The world No 3, the winner of the tournament for the past two years, has been suffering from the condition since December and has missed four tournaments this year, including the Australian Open.

"My wrists are still not 100 per cent," said Williams, "and my main goal right now is getting back to playing tournament tennis again. I am feeling much better, and have practised lightly a few times over the past weeks, but I still have pain, and have been advised by my doctor not to play."

Her withdrawal means that France's Mary Pierce moves up to third seed behind Martina Hingis and Lindsay Davenport. Williams is next scheduled to play at the Betty Barclay Cup at the start of May in Hamburg.

Among those who will be in a strong field for the men's event in Miami are Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski, who are looking to repair their wounded pride after both slipped out of the first Masters Series event of the year in Indian Wells last week, with Henman beaten by the Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean and Rusedski failing against theBelarussian Max Mirnyi.