Oh kids, how time flies: In 2017 Serena and Venus Williams faced each other in the final at the Australian Open, five years later the two sisters will not even compete in Melbourne. "The Daily Telegraph" confirmed the absence of Venus Williams on Saturday, no reason for the cancellation was given.

The older of the two Williams sisters would have needed a wildcard for the Australian Open, as she is currently only 318 in the world rankings. The seven-time individual Grand Slam winner has not been able to play a match since the end of August due to a leg injury.

Since Serena Williams had already canceled her participation about a month ago , the Australian Open will take place for the first time since 1997 without at least one of the two sisters.

Four Australians can raise their hopes, however: Since Venus Williams will not take advantage of the last of the eight wildcards for the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, Lizette Cabrera, Ellen Perez, Seone Mendez and Priscilla Hon can enter the main field with a direct free ticket speculate.