Disease threatens Venus Williams' career

What seemed to be another comeback for Venus Williams instead has turned into another setback.

The two-time U.S. Open champion was forced to withdraw from the Grand Slam tournament Wednesday before her second-round match with Sabine Lisicki, and her career is in jeopardy.

"I'm really disappointed to have to withdraw from this year's U.S. Open," Williams said in a statement. "I have been recently diagnosed with Sjögren's Syndrome, an autoimmune disease which is an ongoing medical condition that affects my energy level and causes fatigue and joint pain.

"I enjoyed playing my first match here and wish I could continue but right now I am unable to. I am thankful I finally have a diagnosis and am now focused on getting better and returning to the court soon.

Dr. Gary Wadler, the former U.S. Open tournament physician and now clinical associate professor at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, said Wednesday: "If the symptoms are severe, this could be career-ending."

According to WebMD.com, there is no cure for the disease. WebMD described it as "a disease in which the immune system attacks the body's moisture-producing glands. This disease may cause tear and saliva glands to become scarred and damaged, and it can cause exceptional dryness in the eyes and mouth."

This was the first time Williams has revealed the name of her illness. She didn't play after Wimbledon this summer because of what was described as a viral illness.

Williams, 31, won her opening match Monday night in Ashe Stadium, beating Vesna Dolonts of Russia, 6-4, 6-3.

After her win she would not identify her illness, saying, "It's outside of the press room, that name."

She did say that the illness "was just energy-sucking and I just couldn't play pro tennis. It was disappointing, because I had huge plans for this summer, of course, to improve my ranking. To miss out on all those points was definitely devastating."

When asked if she thought her stamina was sufficient to play the tough matches required of the Open, she responded: "I don't know. I think I can do what it takes, but I guess I'll have to see. I think I'm OK."

Williams has been plagued with injuries and illness the past two years; the Open was only her fourth event in 2011. She has an 8-3 record with no titles.

At the start of the year she withdrew from a third-round match at the Australian Open with a right hip injury that kept her out in February. It was reported in March that she sustained an abdominal injury, which sidelined her until June. She returned for the grass court season and lost in the quarterfinals at Eastbourne and in the fourth round at Wimbledon. She didn't play in July and pulled out of tournaments in August, citing illness. She played a few sets this summer for the Washington Kastles of World Team Tennis.

As Williams' mother, Oracene Price, left the tennis center in the late afternoon, she was asked if she could comment. "Nah," she replied with a smile.

David Witt, Williams' coach, also would not comment.