White Plains (New York), July 10: Venus Williams and Monica Seles have withdrawn from the US Federation Cup team due to injuries.
Williams aggravated an abdominal strain at Wimbledon and Seles is bothered by a foot injury.
"Fans around the world watched Venus valiantly compete while injured at Wimbledon and we understand her need to recuperate," said Fed Cup captain Billie Jean King yesterday.
"Monica has been a stalwart contributor to the US Fed Cup effort, but she too has been playing hurt and her need to fully heal from a foot injury supercedes this Fed Cup commitment."
King named Chanda Rubin, the world's eighth-ranked player, and Alexandra Stevenson as the replacements.



They join Meghann Shaughnessy and Lisa Raymond on the US team that will face Italy in the Fed Cup quarter-final July 19-20 in Washington.



"Chanda has overcome a number of operations and obstacles and has had an unbelievable run to get back into the top 10," King said.



"It's great to have her back on the Fed Cup effort along with Alexandra, Meghann and Lisa, who have played on the team this year and last."



Rubin, 27, reached the quarter-finals of the French Open and is in the top-10 for the first time since 1996.


Bureau Report