Stosur withdraws from Aussie Open 

Australia's top-ranked female tennis player Samantha Stosur has been forced to withdraw from next month's Australian Open after illness in the second half of 2007 interrupted her preparations.

The 23-year-old's participation on the US hardcourt circuit was curtailed by a virus she contracted in July and she was hospitalised in September with viral meningitis.

The world number 46 only resumed training three weeks ago.

"I am very disappointed I won't be able to compete during the Australian summer," Stosur was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press.

"I have been back training for the last three weeks, but I've realised that I won't be fully ready to compete at the Australian women's hardcourts, which starts in six days, and I've also withdrawn from the Australian Open.

"I always love competing at home in Australia and have had some of my best results here, which makes the decision not to play especially hard.

"But I need concentrate on the long-term goal of getting my health and fitness 100 percent again, so I don't want to start competing again until I'm fully ready."

The Australian Open, the first grand slam of the year, runs from Jan. 14-27.

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