145;Bad flu146; is Serena146;s excuse for pull-out

8220;She sent a message to the Tournament Director Sundar Raju saying that she will not be coming. She was scheduled to arrive today morning but the late-night decision came as a shock. She has said that she is down with severe flu and cold due to constant travel,8221; Shyam Sundar said.

Expressing her disappointment, Serena Williams said, 8220;I am very disappointed to have withdrawn from the Sony Ericsson International in Bangalore, which I was looking forward to participate in. Unfortunately, I caught a bad flu and am too sick to compete.8221;

8220;I know with Sony Ericsson8217;s involvement and the incredible tennis fans in India the event is going to be a great success, and I hope to be able to play in and see the incredible culture of India in the future. I also very much appreciate the honour of being named the State guest and want to personally thank the honorable chief minister Mr. Kumaraswamy,8221; she said. Williams8217; place in the main draw was awarded to Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia who was entered in the qualifiers that began today.