Venus Williams withdraws from Wimbledon with back injury

A back injury has forced Venus Williams to withdraw from this year's Wimbledon tournament.

The five-time champion missed the women's doubles competition at the French Open with the same complaint, having lost in the first round of the singles.

The 33-year-old wrote on her Facebook page: "I will not be able to participate in Wimbledon. I am extremely disappointed as I have always loved The Championships. I need to take time to let my back heal."

It will be the first time that Williams has missed the tournament since making her WTA debut in 1997.