World number one Serena Williams has pulled out of October's China Open because she is still not fully recovered from a foot injury.

The 28-year-old American has not played since cutting her right foot on broken glass in a restaurant in July.

On Thursday, she withdrew from next week's Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo and has now decided not to play in Beijing.

"While I have continued to make progress in my recovery...I am still not ready to compete," she said.

"These are both fantastic events, with loyal fans, that I hope to be able to compete in next season.

"In the meantime, I am focused on my rehab programme and remain optimistic to return to competition this season."

Serena storms to fourth Wimbledon title

Williams, who was in London this week to attend a fashion show, suffered the injury shortly after winning her fourth Wimbledon title and underwent surgery in Los Angeles on 15 July.

The two Far East tournaments are the fifth and sixth she has missed since then, a list which also includes the US Open.

She described having to miss the 2010 season's final Grand Slam event at Flushing Meadows as "one of the most devastating moments of my career".

Victories in this year's Australian Open and Wimbledon took her career record to 13 Grand Slam titles.

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