(CNN) -- Defending champion Serena Williams will miss the Australian Open in January to give herself more time to recover from foot surgery.
The former world number one has not played competitively since winning her fourth Wimbledon crown in July.
She sustained the original injury after standing on broken glass at a restaurant shortly after winning her second grand slam of the year and 13th of her glittering career.
Williams attempted to come back ahead of the season-ending WTA Championships in Qatar, but had to abandon her attempts after aggravating the injury in training.
The American was also due to compete in the Hopman Cup in Australia next month, but in a statement released Thursday said she had been left with no choice but to pull out.
CNN
