Serena Williams is done for the season, just like her sister.
In a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press by her agent, the younger Williams said Tuesday that she “retore the tendon” in her right foot, which she originally injured by cutting it on glass at a restaurant shortly after winning Wimbledon in July. Williams had surgery in New York on Monday; she first had the foot repaired July 15.
Her announcement comes less than two weeks after Venus Williams said she won’t play for the rest of the year because of a lingering injury to her left knee. Both sisters will miss the WTA Championships next week in Doha, Qatar, and the Fed Cup final between the United States and Italy next month at San Diego.
Serena hasn’t played on tour since July 3, when she overwhelmed Vera Zvonareva 6-3, 6-2 to win her fourth Wimbledon championship and 13th Grand Slam singles title overall, most among active women.
Merritt banned.
Olympic gold medalist runner LaShawn Merritt has been banned through July for using a banned substance found in an over-the-counter male enhancement product.
Merritt won Olympic golds in the 400 meters and 400 relay in 2008 in Beijing. He accepted a provisional suspension this year and received a 21-month suspension from arbitrators Monday.
The suspension is retroactive to last October, and he’ll be eligible for the 2011 world championships next August.
Nationals’ Rizzo extended.
Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo signed a five-year contract extension through 2015 and was promoted to executive vice president of baseball operations, giving him more control over the franchise and a direct line to the team’s owners.
• Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker had successful heart surgery that repaired a tear from a previous valve replacement.
• The Atlanta Braves released outfielder Melky Cabrera and right-hander Takashi Saito.
Rivers cancer-free.
Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he is cancer-free after having a biopsy Sunday morning. His doctor found a spot on his throat three weeks ago, and he decided to have it checked.
• The New Jersey Nets exercised the contract options on center Brook Lopez and swingman Terrence Williams for next season.
Hip surgery to sideline Flyers’ Walker.
Flyers defenseman Matt Walker needs hip surgery and is expected to miss more than two months.
Walker needs surgery to repair a torn labrum and what he called a “bony impingement” in his right hip. Walker is expected to miss 10 to 12 weeks.
• Penguins forward Jordan Staal is practicing with the team for the first time since May.
Staal was unable to work out all summer because of recurring infections in his right foot that developed after a tendon was severed during a second-round playoff game against Montreal.
The Associated Press
