Williams has not played since winning January's Australian Open

Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Family Circle Cup in Charleston with the knee injury that has kept her out since winning the Australian Open.

The world number one, along with Maria Sharapova and defending champion Sabine Lisicki, will miss the 12-18 April green clay tournament.

Williams said the injury "has not fully healed" and that she looks forward to "returning to the WTA Tour in Europe."

Sharapova has a bruised right elbow and Lisicki a left ankle injury.

The clay-court season will pick up steam in Europe later in April, building to the French Open at Roland Garros which starts on 24 May.

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